Radiologists

Radiologists are medical doctors who specialize in diagnosing and treating disease using medical imaging and image-guided procedures. They interpret images from X-ray, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), ultrasound, and nuclear medicine, and produce formal reports to guide patient care. Radiologists also perform and supervise image-guided therapies, making them integral to both diagnostic and interventional aspects of medicine.

Beyond reading scans, radiologists work closely with referring clinicians to determine the best imaging approach, discuss findings, and contribute to patient management. They may participate in multidisciplinary teams, such as tumor boards, and provide guidance on further testing, treatment planning, and follow-up. Some radiologists perform procedures under imaging guidance, including needle biopsies, angiography, ablations, drain placements, and catheter-based therapies.

Education and certification typically involve completing medical school, followed by a residency in radiology. Many radiologists pursue fellowship training in subspecialties such as neuroradiology, musculoskeletal radiology, abdominal radiology, thoracic radiology, pediatric radiology, or interventional radiology. Certification is offered by national boards (for example, the American Board of Radiology in the United States) and is often accompanied by state or national licensure requirements. Subspecialists may work in university hospitals, community hospitals, private practices, or academic settings.

Safety and quality are central to radiology, with emphasis on radiation protection, dose optimization, and adherence to established protocols. Advances in technology and telemedicine have expanded remote reporting (teleradiology) and accelerated the dissemination of imaging findings. Radiologists play a critical role in contemporary medicine, enabling accurate diagnosis and image-guided interventions that improve patient outcomes.