Internal imaging techniques that can be used to diagnose, treat and monitor various conditions and diseases play a huge role in modern medicine. Advances in technology and understanding are also leading to imaging techniques such as radiology being used to diagnose conditions earlier than ever before.

Radiology = increase in understanding

Clear, sharp images offered by radiology have opened the door for the process to be used in a number of ways that it never could before. Research and trials have led to an increase in understanding as to what different diseases look like under imaging and also how they change as they respond to treatment, thus enabling doctors and surgeons to monitor patients’ progress and make decisions regarding treatments.

Clearer images also provide the opportunity for image-led treatments. Growths or masses, which have been identified by radiology, can now be investigated with biopsies with the needle path being guided by the use of imaging techniques, thus reducing the need for invasive surgical procedures. This technique is being used in an increasing number of procedures as it provides the opportunity to perform procedures such as arterial and colonic stenting as well as image guided removal of tumour tissue and vascular embolisation without the need for invasive surgery.

Importance for modern day doctors

These increasing uses make it more important than ever that trainee medical staff, including those who are intending to go on to become doctors and surgeons, understand the many and increasing applications of radiology. This will ensure that radiology continues to be used to its full current potential and perhaps even further.

Problems within radiology

The increasing use of radiology across all disciplines has resulted in a worldwide shortage of trained and qualified clinical radiologists. In the UK, the Department of Health and the Royal College of Radiologists have responded by increasing training opportunities and establishing Radiological Academies to encourage suitably qualified students to consider a career in radiology and thereby fill the growing number of radiology jobs. Entry requirements and other conditions have changed with foundation studies being included in the new training. Establishing a good foundation in clinical radiology in medical school should also help fill radiology jobs and account for the current shortage.

New training courses

To be considered for clinical radiology jobs and one of the new training courses you will need a good understanding and foundation in general medicine and surgery. You may have shown an interest in imaging and radiology during previous medical training. For obvious reasons you will also need good eyesight, be able to demonstrate good attention to detail and be self-motivating. During the initial period of training you will find that you get a good all round view of basic radiology in all its forms and in all departments. Later study will allow you to focus on areas in which you may decide to specialise.

The role of a radiologist in detecting and assisting in the treatment of conditions and diseases such as cancer should not be underestimated. Early detection of many diseases can, of course, improve prospects for treatment and for this reason radiology is much respected both by other medical professionals as well as the patients themselves.

This guest post has been written by Robert Elliot who is currently writing on behalf of Nuffield Health. Nuffield specialise in jobs within healthcare.