A Primer on Radiology: The 3 Specializations of Radiologists

Posted by Clinical Care Options, LLC on October 22nd, 2019

Radiology, also called X-ray imaging, is a branch of medicine that allows doctors to diagnose and treat diseases through radiation and imaging technology.

X-rays work by using emission energy in the form of electromagnetic waves, or other subatomic particles, to create a visual copy of a patient's body part or to find malignant cells. The medical professionals who specialize in these procedures are called radiologists. Read on to learn more about who they are and what they do.

Who Are Radiologists

Radiologists treat and diagnose diseases through such radiology procedures as:

• X-rays
• Computed tomography (CT)
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
• Ultrasound
• Positron emission tomography (PET)
• Nuclear medicine

To perform these, aspiring radiologists must first complete 13 years of training, including medical school and 4 years of residency. They can then practice professionally after earning their certification at the American Board of Radiology (ABR).

While radiologists can be generalists, they can also specialize in a branch of radiology of their choice by completing a continuing medical education (CME) course. This can be:

Radiation Oncology (RO)

RO primarily deals with radiation therapy - the use of high-energy radiation to target cancer cells. Once the cells are found, the radiation can stop the cancer's ability to grow and divide, destroy it, or alleviate cancer symptoms.

Medical professionals who have completed radiation oncology CME can be divided into three groups:

1. Radiation Oncologists - They are physicians who evaluate cancer patients and develop radiation-based treatment plans.
2. Radiation Therapists - They carry out the treatment plans of radiation oncologists.
3. Radiation Oncology Medical Physicists (ROMPs) - They monitor the health of the people involved in radiation therapy, including patients and medical staff.

Diagnostic Radiology (DR)

DR is the branch that specializes in the use of imaging technology for assessment, diagnoses, and consultation.

Diagnostic radiologists perform a series of tests using X-rays, radioactive substances, or sound waves to obtain images of a patient's body. They will then use the results to detect any issues and recommend a treatment method if any are found.

Interventional Radiology (IR)

IR uses radiology for performing minimally invasive surgeries - a treatment procedure where cuts and incisions are kept to the least possible size and amount.

Interventional radiologists use X-rays or ultrasounds to have a clearer view of a patient's internal organs. They then use the resulting images as a guide when performing cuts, incisions, or inserting devices into the patient's body. Because this method offers better accuracy than traditional surgery, it's considered a safer alternative for treating stroke, heart diseases, and cancer, among other illnesses.

Radiologists use emission energy for diagnosing and treating. To do so, they've undergone intensive studies and earned their certification from the ABR. They can then pursue continuing education, like oncology CME, to specialize in interpreting medical images, performing image-guided procedures, or using high-energy radiation to treat cancer.