What is Radiology?

With healthcare being such an extensive and ever-changing field it's important to acknowledge fields that provide so much backbone when it comes to patient treatment. A field that helps fulfill this is radiology, also known as diagnostic imaging. Radiology is a type of medicine that uses imaging technology to help treat diseases and diagnose patients. 

The 2 main types of radiology are interventional and diagnostic; both are used in different means. Interventional radiology uses different imaging techniques to help guide procedures; they can often be involved in treatments such as cancers, uterine fibroids, blockages, back pain, and kidney issues. In contrast, diagnostic radiology helps healthcare providers see different structures within someone's body and can help diagnose conditions and how bodies respond to treatment.

Different professions are in the field of radiology, such as radiologists themselves and radiologic technicians. Furthermore, radiologic technicians help when operating imaging tools and equipment and helping individuals through the procedure. In contrast, radiologists can help with a wider variety of tasks, and they are certified medical doctors who are trained to interpret and read medical imaging scans. Radiologists can help you personally by evaluating medical history, helping interpret the results of the images, comparing the images with other examinations and tests, writing reports of results and diagnoses, treating diseases using radiation, and performing or directing different radiology staff. Not only is the job of a radiologist taxing, but it's also a long journey.

On average, it takes around 13 years to become a certified radiologist, which includes a pre-medical degree at an undergraduate institution, a medical degree, passing the licensing degree exam, completing residency, and a highly recommended fellowship.

Radiology is a profession filled with technology. There are many different imaging tools, such as X-rays, ultrasounds, different scans, computer tomography, and MRIs. Computed tomography is used to take multiple angles of X-rays from a machine that is put around the patient to help form an image based on computer calculations.

Radiology helps when it comes to performing early diagnosis, which can help significantly when finding treatment options. A major example of this is in cancer patients. These scans can help with identifying broken bones, heart conditions, blood clots, etc. Radiology is constantly improving and can help address many of the challenges when it comes to access to healthcare, especially as the world develops. The field has so much potential to expand exponentially and can crucially develop healthcare.

Works Cited

Cleveland Clinic. “What Is a Radiologist? What They Do, Training & Types.” Cleveland Clinic, 21 Sept. 2022, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/24184-radiologist.

Health Images. “What Is Radiology?” Health Images, 21 Feb. 2020, www.healthimages.com/what-is-radiology/.

“What Is Radiology?” Rad-Aid.org, rad-aid.org/resource-center/what-is-radiology/.

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