Medical doctors specializing in diagnosing and treating injuries and diseases using medical imaging procedures such as X-rays, CT, MRI, nuclear medicine, PET, and ultrasound.
Radiologists undergo at least 13 years of training:
Medical school
Four-year residency
1-2 year fellowship in a specialized field (e.g., radiation oncology, pediatric radiology, interventional radiology)
Certification by the American Board of Radiology includes ongoing continuing medical education.
Diagnostic Radiologist: Focuses on imaging interpretation.
Interventional Radiologist: Performs minimally invasive procedures guided by imaging.
Radiation Oncologists: Treat cancer using radiation therapy.
In the USA, requires a minimum of 3 years residency after obtaining a Doctor of Chiropractic degree, focusing on musculoskeletal (MSK) radiology.
Some may pursue an additional 1-year fellowship; fewer than 400 certified diplomates exist.
Obtain Chiropractic degree.
Complete 300-400 contact hours in radiology coursework:
Topics include medical physics and skeletal imaging with an emphasis on the MSK system.
Complete PGY 1-3 in radiology training; PGY 4 for optional subspecialty fellowship on cross-sectional MSK imaging (ultrasound and MRI).
The American Chiropractic Board of Radiology requires:
Core written exam
Certifying practical exam
Individuals with a degree in radiologic technology from an accredited institute.
Certified by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) to perform diagnostic imaging and ensure patient safety during radiation exposure.
Minimally trained operators meeting training requirements of the Consumer-Patient Radiation Health and Safety Act of 1981.
Focus on specific body sites or standard procedures, including dental staff trained in radiographs.
Represents nearly 41,000 radiologists, radiation oncologists, interventional radiologists, and medical physicists.
Advocates for quality and safety in radiology.
Strives to improve patient care through innovation and the advancement of radiological practices.
Core Purpose: Empower members to improve practice and science in radiological care.
Core Values: Integrity, Visionary, Excellence, Leadership, Transparency, Member-Driven.
Appointment scheduling and essential patient information are required:
Patient name, DOB, sex, diagnosis, and reason for examination must clearly establish medical necessity.
EXAM REQUESTED: An extensive list covers multiple imaging studies.
Physician's signature is mandatory.
Inform technologist if pregnant or may be pregnant.
Bring the prescription form and previous outside CD images for comparison.
Check with insurance for referrals and authorizations before the appointment.
Review exam preparation instructions for specific imaging types.
Clinical justification of imaging must be met to confirm or exclude conditions such as neoplasms, fractures, infections, etc.
Criteria include:
Increased information about the patient's complaint
Alteration in prognosis or management of care
Benefits of imaging outweigh radiation hazards
Utility of imaging over less invasive procedures
Baseline evaluations and assessment of response to treatments influence the decision to proceed with imaging tests.
Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) form core metrics evaluating diagnostic testing efficacy.
Definitions of outcomes:
True Positive (TP): Test is positive; disease is present.
True Negative (TN): Test is negative; disease is absent.
False Positive (FP): Test is positive; disease is absent.
False Negative (FN): Test is negative; disease is present.
Encompasses various technologies for diagnosing, monitoring, and treating medical conditions, providing critical insights into pathologies within the body.
Medical Radiography involves internal visualization using X-ray methods.
Advanced Imaging involves MRI, CT, and nuclear medicine, allowing for multi-planar views similar to slicing a loaf of bread for detailed analysis.
Adhere to the ALARA principle (As Low As Reasonably Achievable) to minimize exposure through time, distance, and shielding.
Essential components include demographics, relevant clinical information, findings, impressions, and recommendations.