Reston, VA 20191 It can help reduce symptoms or, in some cases, cure the condition entirely. For example, a diagnostic radiologist helps support diagnosis and treatment, while an interventional radiologist uses imaging to guide surgical procedures. Interventional radiologists must undertake a 2 year fellowship. Most of the time, radiologists work for hospitals. These professionals can help other doctors decide on the right imaging method to use and understand what the results mean for treatment. Because some of these imaging techniques involve the use of radiation, and require … In this article, we discuss what a radiologist does, their training, and the different types of radiology. Radiologists are physicians who specialize in capturing and analyzing medical images. A radiologist is a doctor who works behind the scenes to interpret, or read, medical images in order to diagnose and treat diseases or injuries. A radiologist is a type of doctor who specializes in medical imaging. Unlike CT scans and X-rays, an MRI does not use…, A positron emission tomography, also known as a PET scan, produces 3-D color images of the processes within the human body. Radiology originally involved the use of X-rays in the diagnosis of disease and the use of X-rays, gamma rays, and other forms of ionizing radiation in the treatment of disease. Radiologists are highly trained in keeping people safe from the harmful effects of radiation. Their job is to obtain and interpret medical images of … Staff Directory, The trusted source of information for the public about radiology and the unique and vital role of radiologists in healthcare, COVID-19 Radiology-Specific Clinical Resources, Services, Supervision Rules and Regulations, Anthem Outpatient Imaging Policy Resources, State Teleradiology Licensure Requirements, American Institute for Radiologic Pathology, Virtual 2020 SIIM-ACR Data Science Summit, Breast Imaging Boot Camp with Tomosynthesis, Volunteering on Commissions and Committees, Practice Management, Quality, Informatics, Proposed Rule for the 2019 Quality Payment Program, Moore Foundation Diagnostic Excellence Initiative, Keeping PHI out of Medical Image Presentations and Educational Products, Chapter Meetings, Scholarships and Resources, Cardiovascular radiology (heart and circulatory system), Gastrointestinal radiology (stomach, intestines and abdomen), Genitourinary radiology (reproductive and urinary systems), Musculoskeletal radiology (muscles and skeleton), Neuroradiology (brain and nervous system; head, neck and spine), Pediatric radiology (imaging of children). Proton therapy as an option for treating cancer, Debra Rose Wilson, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., IBCLC, AHN-BC, CHT. Doctors who specialize in radiology are called radiologists. In most cases, a primary care physician will refer a patient to a diagnostic radiologist when images are needed. Radiologists complete at least 13 years of training, including medical school, a four-year residency, and most often, an additional one- or two-year fellowship of very specialized training, such as radiation oncology, pediatric radiology, or interventional radiology. As a radiologist, you use computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), positron emission tomography (PET), ultrasound and other technologies to create medical images from which to diagnose patients. 1891 Preston White Dr. See They can also help interpret different images and other test results to make a diagnosis or monitor whether current treatments are working. Certain types of radiologists, including interventional radiologists, are more actively involved in the treatment process. Often, a Radiologist never actually interacts with patients, and instead interprets results of tests performed by technicians and then consults with a patient’s primary physician. There are different types of radiologists, including diagnostic radiologists and medical physicists. A radiologist is a type of doctor who uses medical imaging to support the diagnosis and treatment of various conditions and injuries. It takes great skill and experience to detect and accurately characterize abnormalities. What is a radiologist? ( rā'dē-ol'ŏ-jist) Physician trained in diagnostic and/or therapeutic use of x-rays and radionuclides, radiation physics, and biology. They interpret and report on the resulting images, recommending treatment and, only when appropriate, additional tests. Unlike a simple lab test, radiology is as much an art as a science. 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