A radiologist is a specialist who performs various types of imaging in a medical setting. He can take pictures of the inside of the body. Those images are recorded and sent to the hospital or the doctor who requested them. This type of work is very detailed and following the right procedures is essential. Otherwise, photos may come out blurry, or the test may have to be taken again.
They are licensed physicians and complete approximately eleven years of college to complete the training they need to do this job successfully. It can be a very challenging job due to the volume of learning involved. In addition to their education, they have to perform residency hours for a period of two years before they can perform these tests on their own.
Specialty Areas
The term radiologist covers a wide umbrella of types of procedures and services. Typically, the person will specialize in one particular field. This helps him to focus completely on the type of procedure he will be providing. It allows him the ability to become familiar with the machinery and how everything should operate. Training is often ongoing with this type of role, since medical information and equipment change often. A radiologist may specialize in taking x-rays, CT Scans, or MRIs to name a few of the areas.
Diagnosis
Their medical training allows them to be able to read and understand the images that have been taken. Keep in mind that after the procedure, he isn’t going to disclose to you what he saw. He will share the details of his findings with your doctor. You can ask your doctor for a copy of the radiology report and the images if you would like them. The radiologist can share his opinion about treatment with your doctor as well.
What to Expect
When you are referred to someone in this field, you will show up for your appointment and be taken to a room with the necessary equipment. You will be informed about the basics of the procedure about to be performed on you. You may have to be still, be quiet, or position your body a certain way. Follow the instructions you are given. Ask questions if you aren’t sure about what you need to do during the procedure.
Depending on the reason why you are there, you may have to refrain from eating for a period of time. You may have to drink a liquid known as contrast, so they can get the right images of specific areas of your body. The instructions you are given depend on the procedure as well as the area of the body where the images will be taken. The amount of time all of this takes depends on the procedure and the number of images that need to be recorded.
