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A career in clinical radiology These pages are intended for medical students and recently qualified doctors who are interested in the possibility of a career in Clinical Radiology. It describes the career pathways and the facilities for training which are available in the North West Region. History Wilhelm Rontgen discovered X-rays in December 1895. The potential benefits for medical diagnosis and treatment were quickly realised and the first radiological society in the world, the British Institute of Radiology, was founded in 1897. The United Kingdom, and Manchester in particular, have been instrumental in developing the clinical application of the more sophisticated imaging techniques such as Computed X-ray Tomography (CT) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). Radiology has grown enormously in importance during the last 100 years, providing essential diagnostic information for almost every branch of medicine. Imaging techniques using radionuclides or magnetic resonance can also provide information about tissue function and metabolism. Radiology makes an increasing contribution to treatment, through image-guided interventional and therapeutic procedures. The use of high doses of X-rays to treat malignant disease (radiotherapy) is a separate specialty (Clinical Oncology), training for which is different from Clinical Radiology, and is not dealt with on this site. Background Medical Students become familiar with radiological images during their anatomy teaching in the first year, clinical attachments in the third and fourth years and, in some cases, Options in the fifth year. Students attending Departments of Clinical Radiology in hospitals or the Medical School will be aware of the vital input that radiology has to problem-solving in diagnosis, with most patients undergoing radiological examination in order to confirm a diagnosis. The role of a radiologist"Radiological" includes all diagnostic imaging techniques including plain X-rays (radiographs), contrast studies (eg barium meal, intravenous urography, angiography), CT, ultrasound (US), Nuclear Medicine (NM) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The radiology department provides a focal point in the hospital and a radiologist has a high profile in the clinical team. Radiological examinations are carried out under the supervision of a consultant radiologist who is responsible for ensuring that the request for a radiological examination is appropriate and the examination is carried out properly, with maintenance of quality and radiation protection standards. The radiologist will also review the images obtained and issue a report to the referring clinician, giving an expert opinion on the findings. Although most plain radiographs, nuclear medicine images, CT and MRI scans and antenatal US scans are obtained by radiographers (highly trained and skilled, but non-medically qualified technicians) the radiologist supervises many of these examinations and continues to have a large commitment to practical work, including performing US and the more complex procedures involving contrast media administration or intervention. Most radiologists have a significant amount of personal contact with patients despite the increasingly complex and expensive technology in the radiology department. All radiologists have general radiology training during which time they may develop particular skill and expertise in one, or several, subspecialty areas of radiology. These may be technique-based (US, CT, MRI, NM or intervention) or systems-based (eg neuroradiology, paediatric, cardiovascular or gastrointestinal radiology). Close liaison between Departments of Clinical Radiology and the general practitioner (GP) service is widespread and direct GP access is increasing. The development of radiology as a key component in diagnostic problem-solving has resulted in it being a popular choice of career, with increasing competition for places on training schemes. Back to Opportunities in Training in Clinical Radiology About us Research Courses Clinical Radiology Industrial liason People Contact Us Join Us Search Home Send
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