|
|
What
is a radiologist?
A radiologist is a doctor (MD or DO) that is specially
trained to understand and interpret all forms of medical
imaging exams such as X-ray, ultrasound, CAT scan, MRI,
nuclear medicine imaging, mammography, PET, angiography,
and others. In addition to being the doctor that diagnoses
medical conditions by interpreting diagnostic imaging
exams, a radiologist's role includes the use of medical
imaging to perform procedures such as biopsies and various
image-guided therapies. |
|
A radiologist is an expert medical imaging consultant
that works with other physicians by providing them with
guidance for choosing the best diagnostic imaging method
for a particular patient's condition, providing an interpretation
of the imaging exam once it is performed, and issuing
a formal report of those findings.
A
radiologist's training typically includes a four year
college degree followed by four years of medical school,
one year of clinical medicine or surgery, then four years
of radiology residency training, and often an additional
one or two year fellowship in a specific subspecialty
area of radiology such as MRI, neuroradiology, or interventional
radiology. Radiologists undergo rigorous exams to obtain
certification by the American Board of Radiology.
What is a radiologic technologist?
A radiologic technologist, or Rad Tech (RT), is a specially
trained person whose role is to perform the imaging exams,
creating the pictures for the radiologist to interpret.
For some exams such as angiograms or barium studies, the
tech's role is to assist the radiologist in performing
the exam. A technologist undergoes special training between
one and four years in length to obtain a certificate,
associate degree, or bachelor's degree. Specialization
may be in one or more particular areas of imaging such
as mammography, CT, ultrasound, or MRI. Tech quality is
assured by certification exams issued by the American
Society of Radiologic Technologists. |
|
