A radiologist is a physician who specializes in the use of imaging technologies to diagnose and treat a wide range of diseases and health conditions. Imaging technology is a non-invasive means of seeing inside the human body utilizing several types of medical equipment, including:

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

Radiologists are extensively educated, completing four years of medical school, a residency in diagnostic or interventional radiology, and additional years of training in their specialty. Because of the radioactive nature of many imaging technologies, education emphasizes patient and practitioner safety as well as medical effectiveness. Prior to practicing, radiologists are licensed and board certified by professional governing bodies. They maintain certification throughout their careers with supplemental training and testing.

What Does a Radiologist Do?

A radiologist typically assists in patient care when a referring physician, either a primary care doctor or another specialist, requires non-invasive imaging for the diagnosis or treatment of a medical condition. In this role, the radiologist will:

• Evaluate the advisability of radiation technologies, based on the patient’s medical history and condition.
• Arrange or conduct the imaging procedure.
• Provide a medical interpretation of the image or images.
• Report findings to the primary care doctor and other members of the medical team.
• Collaborate with the medical team in designing or managing a treatment plan.
• Oversee treatment procedures, such as radiation therapy for cancer patients.
• In some cases perform camera-guided, minimally invasive procedures, such as biopsies.

Radiologists are found in both private-office and hospital settings. Many are also involved in university-based research programs.

What Types of Radiologists Are There?

Radiologists are trained in one or more specialties:

• Diagnostic radiology: The use of imaging technologies to produce non-invasive images of the body’s interior, enabling the diagnosis of disease and other health concerns.
• Interventional radiology: A focus on camera-guided technologies that produce images from inside the body, to assist in diagnosis and minimally invasive forms of surgery.
• Medical-physicist radiology: Expertise in imaging technology that optimizes the safety and performance of imaging equipment for the medical teams that use it.
• Nuclear-medicine radiology: Specialization in injectable radioactive materials that enhance visualization inside the body.
• Radiation oncology: Oversight of radiation therapies for cancer patients.

Some of these categories encompass further subdivisions. For example, diagnostic radiology has ten subspecialties, including breast, cardiovascular, chest, emergency, gastrointestinal, genitourinary, head and neck, musculoskeletal, neurological, and pediatric radiologies.

When Should You See a Radiologist?

Imaging technology is critical in both the diagnosis of medical conditions and in the treatment of certain diseases such as cancer. You might see a radiologist if:

• You have symptoms that medical imaging can help diagnose.
• You’re scheduled to undergo a minimally invasive surgical procedure.
• You’re due for a breast cancer screening.
• You’re pregnant and there are potential medical issues regarding you or your baby.
• You have a possible infection, such as pneumonia.
• You have experienced traumatic injury to bone or muscle.
• You give evidence of a cardiovascular condition, such as a blocked artery.
• You have evidence of gastrointestinal blockage.
• You have chronic back, neck, or shoulder pain.

You might also see a radiologist to obtain a second opinion on a medical condition for which you’ve been diagnosed.

What Can I Expect at My Visit to a Radiologist?

A visit to a radiologist is usually triggered by a referral from your primary care physician (PCP) or another specialist on your medical team. Your radiologist will review your reasons for undergoing an imaging scan, explain the way the procedure works, and underscore the safety features that are in place.

Members of his or her team will then conduct the scan under the radiologist’s direction. On interpreting your scans and evaluating a diagnosis, your radiologist will consult with your PCP and other members of your medical team. He or she may also play a role in any follow-up procedures, which might include minimally invasive surgery or some form of radiological treatment.

If you have evidence of a medical condition that requires the use of imaging technology, the Baptist Health radiology team is ready to serve. For more information, contact us at 1.888.412.3317.

Radiologist FAQs

Is a radiologist a physician?

Yes, all radiologists are medical or osteopathic doctors. They typically have 12-14 years of education and training: a four-year undergraduate degree, a four-year medical-school degree, a four-year residency in radiology, and often another year or two in a fellowship program.

Is a radiologist the same as a radiographer?

No. Radiologists are medical or osteopathic doctors that typically head up a radiological team. A radiographer is a highly trained technician that, in many cases, conducts imaging scans under the guidance of the radiologist.

Are radiologists ever the lead doctor in providing patient care?

Sometimes, yes. Though most patient interaction with a radiologist occurs through referral from another physician, there are situations in which the radiologist becomes the primary point person for the medical team treating a patient.