What is a Radiologist?

[mizfiesta]

Is a Radiologist a 'Doctor' as such? For instance a GP would be addressed as Dr instead of Mr - would a radiologist be afforded the same title? What exactly does a radiologist do? Do they go to University? Any information regarding radiology would be much appreciated.

[Clanad]

I can only speak for facts here in the U.S. where radiologists are full-fledged medical doctors wo have taken additional education to become radiologists. Once finishing the additional courses they must be board certified to practise their specialty... They've always been and continue to be Doctors of Medicine. They are responsible for interpreting the images or other procedures.

There are, however Radiologic Technicians who are the actual, hand-on techs that administer the procedure, such as x-rays, including mammographies and colonoscopies. They are not Medical Doctors but are highly trained in their fields and also must be board certified...

[theprof]

Yes, a radiologist is a fully qualified doctor. As they are usually "consultants", convention dictates that they are addressed as "Mr/Mrs/Miss" instead of "doctor". Having said that, you will come across radiologists that don't mind being called "doctor" and indeed, some hospital radiologists in the UK and USA tend to refer to themselves as "doctor".

Radiology is the branch of medicine that makes diagnostic images of anatomical structures through the use of electromagnetic ionising radiation or non-ionising sound waves. Radiological imaging techniques include x-rays, CAT scans, PET scans, MRI Scans and ultrasonograms.. Radiology is also concerned with the treatment of disease by using radioactive compounds.

Radiology is used to diagnose a wide range of disorders, including fractures, cancers, ulcers and arterial disease. Sound waves are used to check on the progress of a pregnancy during a "scan". Radiologists are also experts at injecting opaque dyes into hollow organs that allow them to see what's happening in the organs concerned. A radiologist is an expert in the interpretation of these images and will convey his/her opinion to the doctor that requested the imaging for treatment to take place.

As radiologists are doctors, yes they've been to university. They have also spent a number of years after qualifying as a doctor studying radiology in order to become a radiologist - a radiologist without anatomical and disease knowledge gained from studying medicine, would be no use to anyone.

[R1Geezer]

as an aside you don't have to be a medical doctor to have the prefix doctor. Dr Clarkson for example!

[another-view]

or Dr Fox.

[Tim123]

A radiologist interprets images prepared by a radiographer. They are qualified doctors and should be addressed as 'Dr.' unless they are an MRCS or MRCP (consultant or not) in which case it is usual to address them as Mr, Mrs, Miss or Ms.

The title 'Doctor' has no legal protection, so anyone can use it as long as they don't do so fraudulently. Gillian McKeith stopped styling herself 'Doctor' when the details of her qualification became known, but she had no legal reason to do so.

Jeremy Clarkson holds honorary degrees from Oxford Brookes University and Brunel University, but only used the honorific 'Doctor' for humourous effect.

Dr Fox calls himself Neil Fox these days.

[theprof]

Tim123, your attempt at describing the work of a radiologist does the profession an injustice; a radiologist is far more than an interpreter of images. I indicated as much in my previous answer. In some procedures, a radiographer is not involved despite your possible assertion to the contrary..

Whilst they are indeed qualified doctors, I would suggest to you that the public in general, rarely have the opportunity to establish whether a radiologist is a licentiate, member or fellow of a learned society. Therefore, from a practical standpoint during a patients discussions with a radiologist, your advice is useless. I suggest you review precisely what a licentiate of these august societies means if you're not certain. Furthermore, you seem to be unaware that an FRCS or FRCP amongst others might also be a consultant along with certain other grades.

It is not unusual to find a MRCP or MRCS working as a GP. In general terms, GP's prefer to be called "doctor", therefore a MRCP or MRCS can indeed be a "doctor".

Whilst honorary doctorates are sometimes the bane of academia, academic PhD's, D.Phil's and other doctorates are qualifications awarded only after years of genuine study.

Try comparing a UK MB degree with a USA MD degree.