Radiology: Past, Present, And Future

What is Radiology? “Radiology is the science dealing with x-rays and other high-energy radiation, especially the use of such radiation for the diagnosis and treatment of disease.” (Goergen). Most radiologists’ work in public or private hospitals or private radiology practices. Radiologists’ are there to help doctors determine the illness and how to treat it. “They do this by understanding when an imaging test may be needed to answer a doctor’s question about a symptom, disease, injury or treatment, etc., and also when imaging is unlikely to be helpful.” (Goergen). In other words, radiologists’ can use high-energy radiation and imaging techniques to detect problems within the body that cannot always be seen by doctors right away. German physicist,
Ed. R. T ., I gained more knowledge as to what being a radiologist is all about. According to Masters, who is an assistant professor in the Radiologic Sciences Program at Boise State, “The most difficult aspect of my work is providing the type of patient and customer care that hospital administration says they want, yet they often don’t provide enough staffing for technologists to take the time necessary to actually provide great customer service/patient care. These days it is often get them in and get them out as fast as possible, so the pressure of hurry up, yet get great images and provide good care is an added stressor.” (Masters). In other words, hospitals are not hiring many radiologists’, due to that aspect, radiologists’ have an added pressure to be accurate while trying to quickly get done at the same time. Masters also commented on what she believes are the two biggest misconceptions about being a radiologist. “The most popular misconception--I think there are two, and both drive technologists crazy! First: that we just push buttons for a living. That is a HUGE misconception! Placing a patient in an awkward position, saying ‘hold your breath’ and making an exposure is the final step in our job. Behind that is: knowing how to position all 206 bones and joints of the body in multiple positions; knowing what makes a good radiograph (x-ray image) and how to fix them when they don’t look good….The other misconception--that we are
There will continue to be a strong need for technologists. The manner in which we do our jobs will continue to evolve, as it has in the past.” (Masters). In other words, Masters is saying that the need for radiologists’ will always be there. The need for radiologists’ is rapidly increasing in several ways because we do not have many radiologists’ in the field at the moment. The need for radiologists’ will always be there. Masters also explained what the most difficult part about being a radiologist is. “The most difficult part of being a radiologic technologist is probably the physical demands of the job. This is a very physical job! Our cassettes (holds the x-ray film) can weigh up to 10 lbs., and we often must place these behind heavy patients. We have to lift, turn, move, and assist patients of all sizes—from tiny babies to 500lb men (and I am 5’3” and around 130lbs). We push heavy equipment to various places in the hospital, and we walk, bend, reach, etc. all day long.” (Masters). Being a radiologist is physically demanding in many ways. Radiologists’ have to physically lift and push heavy equipment and heavy set people. Being a radiologist is not all about pushing buttons, it is also about being in a physical condition that you can do the job and get it done