Overview
Radiologists are unique doctors that use imaging equipment, like X-rays and MRIs, to diagnose and provide care for patients. There are many different specialists in radiology, like interventional radiologists and radiation oncologists (both of which we’ll be talking about more in-depth in other posts!), but this time, we’ll just be sticking with a general radiologist.
Radiology is one of those medical fields where your specialization determines what part of the body you focus on- so in other words, radiologists can be looking at anything in the body, from bones to brains. Usually, when you see radiology depicted on TV, they’re shown looking at X-rays of broken bones, ultrasounds, or brain scans. This information is acquired via different types of imaging equipment, like X-rays, MRIs, CT scans, ultrasounds, and so on and so forth. Again, what a radiologist looks at is ultimately dependent on their special field!
Radiologists see a wide range of patients. They are responsible for finding many different things, like pregnancies, tumors, broken or sprained bones, brain damage, and cancer.
While radiologists are the ones who examine, diagnose, and recommend treatment, they also work with a network of other people in order to do so. They work with radiology techs, who work directly with the patients and imaging equipment, in order to get the images they need. Then, once they diagnose, radiologists will share their findings with other doctors and recommend treatment.
Pathway to Become
Like any other doctoral profession, becoming a radiologist is an extremely long process! To become a radiologist in the US, it will take, on average, about 13 years after high school to become a radiologist. In these years, radiologists must complete an undergraduate degree, medical school, pass the US Medical Licensing Examination (the USMLE), and complete a residency. Most radiologists also complete a fellowship, which is a 1-2 year internship in a specific part of radiology.
Being doctors with a long period of schooling, one concern that many have is that there is a poor work-life balance. While what qualifies as a good work-life balance differs from person to person, most radiologists are content with it.
Another concern shared by many is that developing technology and AI may be a risk to radiologists. However, radiology is still in high demand, with a predicted 10 to 14 percent increase by 2026, which is above the national average. Some attribute this demand for radiologists to an increasing aging population, which, in America, will see a predicted 10% increase from 2015 to 2050. For those interested in radiology, this is an indicator that radiology will remain a stable field to go into.
Personal Take
Despite the amount of schooling that’s required and time it would take to complete everything, radiology still interests me because it is something that is achievable through lots of hard work. This also applies to the long hours that radiologists sometimes have to work- the amount of time and work you are willing to put in will reflect what you get out of it. I also think that the stability of the job is also a huge benefit to going into this field.
Also, I think that radiologists are unique in that they don’t work as closely with others as some doctors do! They get to avoid a lot of the hustle and bustle that they show on TV shows. Many on social media actually joke about radiologists being introverts. This is a plus for me, since I enjoy my alone time!
Resources I used and Where You Can Learn More
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/24184-radiologist
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/the-radiologist
https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/day-in-the-life-of-a-radiologist