|
Radiology is the use of radiation for different
types of "imaging," including X-rays. Imaging simply means
creating an image of the inner configuration of a dense object,
such as part of the human body, with the use of radiant energy.
Radiology is also sometimes called radioscopy or Clinical
Radiology, the latter due to the many uses of imaging techniques
for diagnosis as well as treatment of injury or disease. Imaging
includes X-rays, radiant dye, ultrasound, CT scan and MRI, or
magnetic resonance imaging.
In the medical field, radiology is a
specialization. A radiologist reads or interprets an image to
pinpoint an injury, determine how serious the injury is or help
detect abnormalities such as tumors. This is why patients
frequently have to wait for the "official" results of an X-ray
or other image even if the primary caregiver has reviewed it. A
specialist in radiology must also interpret the results and
consult with the physician or offer a report of his or her
findings in order to achieve an accurate diagnosis. Clinics and
medical facilities that do not employ an on-site radiologist
must send the image out for interpretation and await the
findings.
Radiology is an important component of
diagnosis and treatment, so the radiologist has a great
responsibility to obtain clear, distinct images and review them
with extreme care. Faulty images or interpretations can lead to
missing things or even to misdiagnosis of the patient's
condition. Obtaining high quality images through radiology can
be difficult when a patient is in pain or suffering from
illness, so a radiologist or imaging tech must have an excellent
bedside manner.
The radiologist must also be able to comfort
the patient, keeping him or her calm, and able to explain
radiology procedures clearly to reduce the patient's anxiety. He
or she must also thoroughly observe the patient's medical
records and ask questions to insure that X-rays or other imaging
techniques are not particularly risky for a specific patient,
for example, a woman that is or could be pregnant. Since
radiology techniques require the use of radiation, a tech must
also protect him or herself and the patient from the possible
dangers associated with radiation. |
