Between the 19th and 21st centuries, radiology technology has been among some of the most impactful advances. It has benefitted the healthcare system internationally and provided doctors with the tools they need to diagnose and treat their patients more effectively. But, like any new technology, critics will always suspect a negative side effect or conspiracy.
When X-rays were first introduced, people avoided them like the plague, claiming that they gave you cancer. Because of such rumours and myths, radiology, in regard to treatment and as a career, has developed some negative misconceptions that we plan to set straight today.
Before Studying Radiology, You Need To Be A Boffin In Physics
One of the first misconceptions we’d like to shed some light on is that people believe that you need to be a physics or science boffin to become a radiologist. While having a decent amount of knowledge on physics and other sciences is valuable, it’s actually the fundamental skill that this subject teaches you that’s needed, not necessarily the subject itself.
Physics teaches you to develop good critical thinking and problem-solving skills, which are essential for a radiologist. So, while physics might be needed to qualify for a radiology degree, you don’t need to be a boffin at it.
Radiologists Aren’t Well-Respected By Their Colleagues
This is a weird one for us. Some people think that radiologists are those medical professionals who are shoved into the corner of the basement and often ignored. We’re not sure where this idea came from, but it couldn’t be further from the truth. In the realm of medical professionals, radiologists are just as respected as any other medical personnel. One must remember that they are in a whole other department, so they may not have as much interaction with other medical staff as doctors would. However, they would actively collaborate with doctors on treatment planning for their patients and contribute their professional opinions on certain cases.
Radiologists Rarely Have Patient Interaction
This one depends on where you work in the radiology department. In most cases, radiologists would spend a reasonable amount of time with their patients, almost the same as a surgeon would.
Radiology Is Best Suited To Male Professionals
The notion that radiology is best suited for men is completely outdated. While the industry might have been predominantly male at first, women are fast becoming influential professionals in the radiology sector, with many women having successful careers as radiologists.
Radiologists Spend Their Days Reading X-Rays
This is a very narrow-minded opinion, probably given from someone who doesn’t fully understand what radiology is. While radiologists do read x-rays often, they also have extensive experience in conducting and reading several other imaging techniques. It just so happens that x-rays are most likely the most common imaging method uses.
As A Radiologist, You’re Always Exposed To Harmful Radiation
While this may have been true 100 years ago, the medical industry has gone to great lengths to improve its imagery systems to ensure that they are safe for the patients and the radiologists operating them. So, no, radiologists are consistently exposed to harmful radiation.
All Diseases And Conditions Can Be Detected By A Radiology Exam
Some people believe that radiology is the answer to diagnosing any issue. There are some powerful imaging systems used by radiologists nowadays, like an MRI scan, which is capable of scanning your entire body. While radiology machinery is pretty capable, it does have its limitations and might not always be accurate or pick up the issue at all. Often, there’s more to diagnosing a condition than simply looking at images. Patient history and other symptoms are also taken into account.
Radiology Is An Easy Job
Radiology is anything but easy. Keep in mind that radiologists go through intensive studies, learning how to read multiple imaging systems and what certain issues in the body may look like on them. Simply memorising that in itself is amazing. Then there’s the use of complex machinery, facing the unique differences of each person’s body and the challenges that come with diagnosing and treating certain conditions. It’s safe to say that working at a radiology clinic would definitely keep you on your toes.
Final Thoughts
In our opinion, working as a radiologist is the closest you’re going to get to being Superman, having X-ray vision and all. As a radiologist, you’ll get to work with some of the most advanced technology in the world, and better yet, you’ll get to play an active role in saving lives as other medical practitioners do. You’re essentially at the front lines. If your scans are off, a doctor’s diagnosis could be inaccurate. If anything, that shows how vital the role of a radiologist is.
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