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Abstract
Radiology is among the rapidly advancing specialties of the medical profession. It is both a diagnostic as well as an interventional specialty having direct links to medical experts from different parts of a hospital. Diagnostic radiologists use their knowledge and expertise in the diagnosis of a disorder, whereas interventional radiologists deal with the treatment of the disorder. Radiology department deals with different patients having diseases such as cancer and heart related problems. Patients having kidney problems, liver problems, back pain, fibroids in the uterus, and blockages in the veins and arteries may also visit interventional radiologists. Radiology also assists in certain other aspects of medical profession such as biopsy, ablation, and embolization. In the U.S., radiology training is a five year residency program after completion of a medical degree. Most of the residency graduates also go for one or two year fellowship after completing the graduation from a residency program. This paper deals with different aspects of the field of radiology.
Radiology is a specialty in the medical field that is used to diagnose and cure diseases with the help of imaging techniques such as X-ray radiography, computed tomography (CT), ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and positron emission tomography (PET). Radiation techniques are used by a radiographer, who is also known as radiologic technologist. Moreover, the services of a reporting radiographer or diagnostic radiologist are also used to interpret the images and develop a report of the findings. There is another field of radiology, which is known as interventional radiology. Doctors in this specialization use imaging techniques such as ultrasound, CT scan, fluoroscopy, and MRI to assist in procedures. A specialized field of radiology commonly deals with cancer, and it is known as radiation oncology (NLM, 2016).
Type of patients commonly seen in radiology
The department of radiology commonly deals with cancer patients as it is mostly used for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. Moreover, patients of cardiovascular and other related diseases may also come to the radiology department as, for example, patients of angioplasty and/or angiography as well as stent placement may also come to this specialty. Patients having kidney problems, liver problems, back pain, fibroids in the uterus, and blockages in the veins and arteries may also visit interventional radiologists (NLM, 2016).
Common diseases, disorders, or conditions encountered in this specialty
In addition to cancer and heart-related diseases, the specialty of interventional radiology also deals with embolization to control bleeding; kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty; tumor embolization utilizing Y-90 radioembolization or chemoembolization; needle biopsies of several organs, such as the thyroid and lungs gland; tumor ablation along with radiofrequency ablation, microwave ablation, or cryoablation; breast biopsy, guided either by ultrasound or stereotactic techniques; feeding tube placement; uterine artery embolization, and venous access catheter placement (NLM, 2016).
The type and duration of training in the field of radiology
In the U.S., radiology training is a five year residency program after completion of a medical degree. Most of the residency graduates also go for one or two year fellowship after completing the graduation from a residency program. In the radiology training, there are 7 postgraduate years. In those years, postgraduate year 1 (PGY 1) is related to clinical training including internships for internal medicine, surgery, and pediatrics. PGY 2 to PGY 5 include radiology training, and PGY 6 and 7 are subspecialty fellowship such as abdominal, musculoskeletal, pediatric, and interventional programs. Moreover, two computer-based exams are essential as required by the American Board of Radiology. These exams include core exam and certifying exam, and they are important to become a board-certified radiologist. ACGME (Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education) accredit radiology residencies (Morgan, n.d.).
Appealing aspects of the field
Radiology is among the novel fields of medicine. It is also a stimulating, interesting, and satisfying specialty. It can help in dealing with new aspects of medical technology and is emerging day by day. In the field of radiology, a specialist feels like he or she is learning new things constantly, and making a real difference in the life of a patient. A radiologist also gets many chances of meeting different specialists from different areas that is also helpful in improving the knowledge and expertise of a radiologist. On the whole, a good radiologist has outstanding observational skills with brilliant knowledge of pathology and anatomy and a huge amount of clinical knowledge to use in the practice.
References
Morgan, M. A. (n.d.). Radiology training in the United States of America. Retrieved from http://radiopaedia.org/articles/radiology-training-in-the-united-states-of-america
NLM. (2016). Imaging and radiology. Retrieved from https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/007451.htm
