Taking a closer look at each of these areas will give a clear picture of how these health care professionals differ and how they work together.
By definition, radiologists are medical doctors, with radiology being their field of specialization. Many radiologists further specialize in areas such as nuclear medicine, pediatric radiology or even cardiac imaging.
No matter their subspecialty, the primary focus of a radiologist is to provide diagnostic imaging support. Radiographers are the medical professionals tasked with operating highly specialized, state-of-the-art scanning machines. These health care professionals operate medical imaging equipment, while radiologists are primarily concerned with providing imaging interpretation. Once qualified, radiographers use scanning equipment that includes x-ray machines, computed tomography CT scanners and even advanced technologies such as digital fluoroscopy to produce specialized imaging.
Since radiologists are licensed medical doctors, the requirements needed for this position are part of a much longer education process. In addition to completing a four-year undergraduate degree, radiologists must go on to attend a four-year medical school. From there, radiologists need to complete a hospital residency in radiology, which is generally another four-year process.
Radiologists looking to practice a subspecialty like neuroradiology, for example, would pursue a fellowship for even more specialized training. Imaging scans can also play an important role in helping physicians monitor how a patient is responding to treatment. Although radiologists and radiographers each have a role in the use of medical imaging procedures, their responsibilities , training and opportunities are different.
One big difference is the amount of education and the length of training it takes to work in each of the professions. Radiologists are doctors who specialize in using medical imaging to diagnose and treat people with various conditions. Radiologists usually do not perform the imaging tests.
Instead, they review and interpret the scans to aid in making a diagnosis. To become a radiologist, you need to earn an undergraduate degree and attend four years of medical school. A residency in radiology is usually four years and includes studying radiation safety and interpreting imaging scans.
After completing four years of residency, some doctors choose to also pursue a fellowship in radiology. A radiology fellowship gives a doctor the chance to narrow their focus even further and become an expert in a specific area, such as nuclear medicine or cardiovascular imaging. A radiographer has a different role involving medical imaging. Radiographers do not interpret the results or make a diagnosis.
Physicians who specialize in analyzing and interpreting these images or in treating patients with radioactive materials are called radiologists. The technicians or technologists who operate the equipment are called radiographers or radiologic techs. In simplest terms, radiology is a branch of medicine and radiography is the type of technology radiologists employ to do their jobs. A radiologist is a fully licensed physician, as explained by RadiologyInfo.
Typically, he has completed additional studies in radiology after graduating from medical school and completing his internship and residency. Radiologic technicians don't need to obtain as much education. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, or BLS , becoming a radiological technologists typically entails earning an associate degree in radiography. Students study anatomy, physiology, physics, imaging, radiologic technology and patient care.
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