| Radiology is the specialty directing | | | | medical imaging which is usually taken |
| medical imaging technologies to diagnose | | | | at the beginning of the second or third |
| and sometimes treat diseases. Originally | | | | year of residency (postgraduate year 3 |
| it was the aspect of medical science | | | | or 4), and a second covering clinical |
| dealing with the medical use of X-rays | | | | diagnostic imaging knowledge which is |
| emitted by X-ray machines or other such | | | | usually taken at the beginning of the |
| radiation devices for the purpose of | | | | third or fourth year (PGY 4 or 5). Both |
| obtaining visual information as part of | | | | written exams must be passed before |
| medical imaging. Today, following | | | | being eligible to take the oral |
| extensive training, radiologists also | | | | examination, which is typically taken at |
| direct other imaging technologies (such | | | | the end of the fourth year (PGY 5). |
| as ultrasound, computed tomography (CT) | | | | After completion of residency, |
| and magnetic resonance imaging) to | | | | radiologists may choose to either |
| diagnose or treat disease. | | | | practice or enter into a fellowship |
| Interventional radiology is the | | | | program in a radiologic subspecialty |
| performance of (usually minimally | | | | (such as abdominal or thoracic imaging, |
| invasive) medical procedures with the | | | | MRI, musculoskeletal imaging, |
| guidance of imaging technologies. The | | | | interventional radiology, |
| acquisition of medical imaging is | | | | neuroradiology, pediatric radiology, |
| usually carried out by the radiographer | | | | women's imaging, etc.). Fellowship |
| or radiologic technologist. Nuclear | | | | training programs typically last between |
| medicine is the use of unsealed | | | | 1-2 years. |
| radiation sources within the body. | | | | Radiology is currently considered a |
| Outside of the medical field, radiology | | | | highly competitive field. Radiologists |
| also encompasses the examination of the | | | | generally enjoy good compensation as |
| inner structure of objects using X-rays | | | | well as a good balance between time |
| or other penetrating radiation. | | | | required at work and time spent away |
| Subdivisions | | | | from work. The field is rapidly |
| As a medical specialty, radiology can be | | | | expanding due to advances in computer |
| classified into subfields. | | | | technology which is closely linked to |
| Diagnostic radiology is concerned with | | | | modern imaging. |
| the use of various imaging modalities to | | | | The exams (radiography) are usually |
| aid in the diagnosis of disease. | | | | performed by radiologic technologists, |
| Radiology can be used for therapeutic | | | | (also known as diagnostic radiographers) |
| purposes as well. | | | | who in the United States have a 2-year |
| Interventional radiology uses imaging to | | | | Associates Degree and the UK a 3 year |
| guide therapeutic procedures. | | | | Honours Degree. |
| Neuroradiology is the sub-specialty in | | | | Australia & New Zealand |
| the field of Central nervous system | | | | Radiology training begins after |
| imaging. | | | | completion of medical degree (6 years) |
| Interventional Neuroradiology uses | | | | and at least 2 years of hospital |
| imaging to guide therapeutic procedures | | | | residency (internship and junior house |
| in the head, neck and spine. | | | | medical officer (JHMO) ). It then |
| Radiation therapy uses radiation to | | | | comprises 5 years , one of which can be |
| treat diseases such as cancer. While | | | | a fellowship. |
| originally encompassed within radiology, | | | | Exams are in two parts: |
| radiation oncology is now a separate | | | | Part 1, undertaken in first year |
| field. | | | | comprises anatomy and physics pertaining |
| Radiologist Training | | | | to radiology. |
| USA | | | | Part 2, undertaken in forth year |
| Diagnostic radiologists must complete | | | | comprises clinical / diagnositic |
| four years of medical school (M.D. or | | | | radiology and pathology |
| D.O.) plus five years of post-graduate | | | | Accreditation is via the Royal |
| training (residency). The first | | | | Australian and New Zealand College of |
| postgraduate year is a preliminary | | | | Radiology (RANZCR) |
| internship in medicine, surgery or both, | | | | Diagnostic radiology |
| after which a four-year diagnostic | | | | Commonly used imaging modalities include |
| radiology residency follows. During | | | | plain radiography, computed tomography |
| residency, both oral and written | | | | (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), |
| national examinations must be passed for | | | | ultrasound, and nuclear imaging |
| board certification in diagnostic | | | | techniques. These techniques are usually |
| radiology. There are two separate | | | | non-invasive. Each of these modalities |
| written examinations required for | | | | has strengths and limitations which |
| certification by the American Board of | | | | dictate its use in diagnosis. |
| Radiology, one covering the physics of | | | | |