The medical school does a great job in exposing doctors to different areas of medicine. However, most medical students are not exposed to radiology until the end of their Doctor of Medicine (MD), third and fourth year.
Students quickly learn how complex radiology is once they are immersed in it. It’s more than just analyzing xrays in a darkened room. Continue reading to learn more about radiology and how you can become a radiologist.
What does a radiology specialist do?
Radiologists are often called a “doctor’s doctor” because they serve as consultants to clinicians. They can also lend their expertise using medical imaging technologies like x-rays, ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging. Radiologists are highly skilled at reading the results and can often help to form diagnoses and care plans for patients from different specialties.
Radiologists in this field may specialize in either diagnostic or interventional radiology. Radiologist jobs are not all the same, but practitioners have a variety of responsibilities.
These are often performed by both diagnostic and interventional radiologists.
- Interpreting plain film and x-rays
- Reading MRIs
- Catheters can be used to perform diagnostic and therapeutic procedures
- Interpretation of CT scans
- Referring physicians with diagnostics
- Radiologic technologists are trained on how to perform procedures
A patient’s care team can map out the next steps, such as surgery, new medication, chemotherapy, etc., once a radiologist has provided a clear diagnosis.
How to become a radiologist
Radiologists who want to become doctors must first earn a four year degree. The foundation of basic sciences will be built through lectures and labs during the first two years of an MD program. The last two years of medical school will be devoted to the completion of the three-part United States Medical Licensing Examination series. Additionally, you will gain relevant experience through Clinical Rotations.
Radiology students will need to apply for residency positions after they have completed their MD program. Radiology residents must complete a year of transitional, surgical or medical intern training. For four more years, they will be focusing on radiology (or radiation therapy)
After completing their residency, radiologists can obtain board certification. If they’re intending to further specialize–such as pediatric radiology, nuclear radiology, or neuroradiology–there are additional fellowship training opportunities they can pursue.
