How to become a radiologist?

The world of medicine is constantly evolving. Every day, we discover new things about the human body’s mechanisms. Radiology is an imaging and diagnostic science involved in taking images of different parts of the body. A radiologist uses several techniques and analytical and observational skills to find out the occurrence and diagnosis of various diseases in the human body. These include imaging techniques like ultrasound, computed tomography (CT), X-ray positron emission tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). 

A radiologist is a medical doctor involved in integrating different results of these medical imaging tests. These imaging and diagnostic tests are performed in hospitals, community centers, and diagnostic centers. The radiologist is the connecting link between the primary caregiver and the patient. They help in referring you to the correct practitioner, which can help in diagnosing your disease and drawing the best treatment plan for prevention, treatment, and recovery. They are also involved in treating diseases like cancer by employing the use of radiation.

Master Radiology in less than 6 Hours for NEET PG 2022

Different fields of radiology

Radiology can be further divided into: 

• Breast radiology 
• Emergency radiology
• Cardiovascular radiology
• Nuclear radiology 
• Neuropediatrics radiology
• Gastrointestinal radiology
• Genitourinary radiology
• Diagnostic radiology

Meet Our Radiology Guru – Dr Rajat Jain

Dr. Rajat Jain MBBS, MD, DNB, MNAMS, FRCR (UK) is currently working as a consultant and Head, Shree Agrasen International Hospital, Rohini, New Delhi. He is a graduate of MAMC Delhi. He also completes his Postgraduate in Radiology from the same institution after scoring Rank- 1 in Delhi PG 2007. He has done FRCR from the United Kingdom. He is President of International NGO- “DOCTORS FOR YOU”. He has been Honoured by the Ex-President of India Dr. APJ ABDUL KALAM AZAD with Golden Ruby Award. He has also received the “PRESIDENT APPRECIATION AWARD” from the Delhi state chapter of IRIA. He has also received the Big Hero award from the “BIG FM” radio channel. He has more than 75 national and international publications and presentations in conferences and journals. He is a well-known name among the PG aspirants in India. He has been involved in PG teaching for the last 13 years and is loved by students across the country. He is also well known for his counseling and preparation strategy for the PG Entrance Exam.

How to become a radiologist

These are the primary criteria to become a highly renowned licensed radiologist:

• First, you need to complete a Bachelor’s degree in medicine. You need to attend medical school for your Bachelor’s degree and complete the required internship and residency. The MBBS (Bachelors of medicine and bachelor of surgery) degree is the prerequisite step for getting an MD (Doctor Of Medicine) in Radiology.
• A license to practice, which is issued by the Medical Council Of India.
• There are also options for fellowships to pursue your interest in radiology. 
• You need to complete 4 years of residency to become a radiologist abroad. You’ll require a state license after this. For this, you need to give an examination that focuses on medicine, imaging modalities, and physics. 

Job roles

Radiology is an extraordinarily skillful and demanding profession. There are several job opportunities in radiology, and with increased research, the scope is developing more.  The current healthcare spaces utilize the talents of Radiologists in the following Job roles-

• Diagnostic Radiologist
• Interventional Radiologist
• Cancer Radiologist
• Radiologic technologist
• Radiology technician
• Radiology nurse
• Radiology assistant

You can work both in private and government hospitals. There are also jobs available based on part-time and full-time work opportunities. Radiology is also constantly in demand in different hospitals, diagnostic centers as well as super-specialty hospitals. Many Radiologists open their private diagnostic centers and provide top-notch imaging services.

Skills of a radiologist

Being a skillful professional in radiology is crucial for the progress of your career trajectory. You must possess these skills:

Knowledge

A radiologist must inculcate an excellent knowledge and interest in anatomy, physiology, and pathology. 

Analytical and observational skills

You must also have an analytical and logical mind which never misses subtle details. Good observation skills and the ability to focus on minute details are critical. Radiologists must also have an observational and analytical mind so that they can reason, have logic and judgment to determine what treatment the patient needs.  This is crucial for drawing out a treatment plan and guiding the patient to respective specialists. 

Dexterity

A powerful skill is your hand-eye coordination and other muscular coordination. This is essential for specific tasks as a radiologist. These tasks include proper placement of imaging equipment, effectively carrying out scanning in a short time by quick observation, and the ability to alter the view to get high resolution, clear results. 

Understand the equipment

A radiologist must have great knowledge to understand different imaging techniques well.  They must know about the latest techniques and how to effectively use the equipment to get the best results. The specific function and care of each part are very important to know.

Soft skills

Other demandable skills are verbal and written communication skills. The radiologist must have the ability to work in a team, have a managerial spirit, and should be able to organize things well. Communication skills are essential for radiologists. This helps in easily explaining disease conditions and imaging results to the patient. To ascertain on which treatment the patient requires, radiologists must be prepared to understand with reason, logic, and judgment, as well as communicate information about procedures, diagnosis, and treatment in a skillful and tactful manner.

Technologically advanced

This is another powerful skill for a radiologist. They must be able to use the diagnostic equipment effortlessly. They should have great fine motor skills and perform any kind of diagnosis or operation of imaging quickly and accurately. Furthermore, they should also be able to reassure the patient and ensure their safety.

Radiologists Job Profile

A radiologist is involved in performing several powerful duties and procedures. These include:

• Images and integrating there are those, these are generated by CT and MRI scans.
• Radiologists are also responsible for communicating and discussing different test results with the patient and physicians. 
• They can identify the issue or condition in the patient’s body and guide them to a good physician. This is done promptly so that the issue can be treated quickly. Radiologists also work with different lab technicians and assistants to obtain an excellent, high-resolution image quality.
• They also discuss different treatment plans with patients. Radiologists are also involved in evaluating the patient’s medical history. 
• They perform numerous diagnostic methods, including MRI, X-ray, and CT scans. They can also diagnose ailments through these scans and accurately interpret the results obtained.

The average salary of Radiologists

Radiology is a high-paying job, and the average salary for a radiologist is about 20 lakh per year. Entry-level radiology can earn up to 1-2 lakhs a month, and from there, it only goes upwards with the experience. Thus, it is a high-paying job that will always be in demand. 

Perks of being a Radiologist

Radiology is an emerging field, with resources and new technologies always on the horizon. It is a very high-paying job and a valuable medical specialization which you can pursue after MBBS. Radiologists contribute to the skilled workforce necessary for the country and healthcare domains. Some perks of being a radiologist are:

High pay and market growth

Radiologists in India are relatively few in number, whereas the demand for them is very high. Radiology is a profitable career in India, and pursuing this can open you to a world of possibilities. The market for radiologists is expanding, and in the future, there can be significant growth. This can be attributed to the latest technology and the emergence of several infections and non-communicable diseases.  Radiologists can be prepared to see spectacular revenue and because of the large number of vacancies, you can easily find jobs in India and abroad. Radiologist earns an average income of Rs 545,630 per year in India.

Contribute to research

Research is fundamental for a radiologist. You can actively contribute to some of the best research studies. You can add to the knowledge pool and help in the latest developments of novel technologies and therapies. Research in radiology has contributed immensely to newer cancer treatment methods. 

Fixed schedule

A radiologist is different from being a doctor. Doctors are on duty all the time, and there is difficulty managing their work schedules. As a radiologist, you will have fixed work timings. This lets you have enough personal time to make the best out of your life, while simultaneously actively contributing to the world of medicine and healthcare during your career.

Respected career

Radiology is a highly respected career and pays well. Radiologists help in the early detection and diagnosis of various diseases. These can help in starting treatment at the correct time and slow down progression. 

Colleges for radiology

Many colleges across India as well as abroad offer a specialization in radiology. You need to opt for an MD (Doctor Of Medicine) in radiology in these colleges. Colleges like AIIMS, Mahatma Gandhi Institute, SDM College, Kasturi Medical College, Dr. DY Patil Medical College, etc., offer courses in radiology.

Books for radiology

When you’re preparing for your specialization as a radiologist, there are a few books you must read, which includes:

• Textbook of Radiology and Imaging by David Sutton 
• Grainger and Allison’s Diagnostic Radiology – A Textbook of Medical Imaging 
• Felson’s Principles of Chest Radiology
• The Chest X-ray – A Survival Guide by Gerald Lacey 
• You can also read DBMCI notes and video materials. You can also attempt multiple questions so that you are sound and confident in your knowledge. Several online live lectures and pre-recorded lectures also help you get a strong command in different sub-topics within radiology. 

FAQ’S 

Question – Is radiology a high-paying job?

Yes, radiology is a well-paying job. As an experienced professional, you can earn a median salary that has no limits. The average is about 20 to 25 lakhs per year. As a fresher, you can expect about 60-70k in government settings and about 1 lakh in the private sector

Question – Is radiology a specialization offered after graduation?

To pursue radiology as a specialization, you need to have a degree in radiology which is usually an MD or DO. This is to be done after you complete your Bachelor’s degree and graduate from medical school.