Introduction
The difference between a radiographer and a radiologist is definite and both need each other to prepare and analyze imaging tests. The radiographer has to be relied on to do an excellent job in working with the patient to take the test. He must make the patient, who is already in distress and feeling badly ally fear and feel comfortable and assured. If his results aren’t adequate they must be redone, requiring the patient to go through the process again. The radiographer is upfront and works with machines, the patient and doctor, and radiologists. Visit https://mermaidbeachradiology.com.au/ for more info.
The radiologist, on the other hand, may never meet the patient and never touch the machine. If his field isn’t actually hands-on working with the patient, he may never meet him. He diagnoses from interpreting the results of the imaging. Once the tests are complete the radiologist interprets the images and advises the referring doctor as to the seriousness of the problem and what treatment he suggests.
If his field is working with the surgical procedure, he might not meet the patient beforehand unless he makes an effort to introduce himself and tell the patient what he will be doing while the patient is asleep and in the surgical room. The radiographer, at his point, is done with his job.
Both radiologists and radiographers must constantly follow and learn new developments in the industry, new tools and imaging equipment, and new research and techniques. Radiographers must put a lot of effort into working with patients under stress and radiologists must keep up with developments in surgery and new interpretations.
Patients who receive a bill from someone who says they are a doctor and whom they have never met, get angry and regard these doctors with little regard.
Who Is a Radiographer?
A radiographer is required to have an associate degree or to have completed a program and to have been tested. Certification differs in different countries. A Certified Radiographer after testing is certified ARRP, Radiologic Technologist. They are sometimes known as a radiologic technologist, a diagnostic radiographer, and a medical radiation technologist. They are often erroneously called x-ray technicians but are also known popularly known as Techs.
Radiographer: An x-ray was discovered by a German scientist in 1895. He noted that this ray could pass through human tissue but not bone and he named this ray x, thus we have the x-ray. Trained to produce the medical imaging using this old technology plus the new radiographer produces the image of pathology for diagnosis by a doctor or medical Radiologist. He is a health professional specialist and, as imaging is becoming more important in the surgical repair of patient problems, radiographers are ever more important and required to learn more and more techniques and equipment.
He must instruct and place the patient properly to get the results the radiologist needs. He checks and decides the voltage, time of exposure and adjusts the x-ray equipment. The x-rays produce a scattered pattern that outlines the anatomy inside the patient and problems that can then be read by professionals. The radiographer develops x-ray film and makes sure they properly give what is needed for diagnoses and for this he must be able to read them.
It is their duty to give an intravenous injection of media contrast for tests.
Working with the radiologist, the radiographer prepares and develops the radiopaque contrast media.
What is a Radiologist
Radiologist: There are three types of radiologists: Intervention Radiologist, Diagnostic Radiologists, and Radiation Oncologists
To be a radiologist requires four years of college, four years of residency, and possibly 1to2 years of fellowship for special training.
Radiologist: Testing and treating diseases and injuries using X-Rays, CT scans, (MRI) nuclear medicine, positron emissions tomography (PET), and ultrasound.
Radiation Oncologists take care of cancer patients and oversee their individual treatment using radiation to stop cells from spreading which often reduces the symptoms and in some cases, alleviates them.
Intervention Radiologists use image-guided instruments to diagnose and treat patients leading small instruments through tiny keyhole slits into the body, often using a tiny camera, to the point of the trouble so those points can be treated with small instruments thereby causing as little damage as possible for faster and safer patient recovery. This is safer and more minimally invasive than traditional surgery and often only requires day surgery.
Diagnostic Radiologists direct and teacher assistants to properly use the instruments so they may assess and diagnose by seeing inside a patient to determine and to advise the referring doctor as to the proper treatment needed for the patient. The diagnostic radiologist may specialize in: head, neck, and spine, gastrointestinal, mammography, pediatric and emergency trauma, or heart treatment.
There are even physics radiologists who often do research. This field is opening up fast and these men devote their minds to this, using their knowledge of physics to advise the medical community about the technical aspect of imaging and patients’ problems.
Problems of the Profession
Patients are people and when they are Ill and don’t feel well they often act seriously on medical help. Radiologists and Radiographers get their share of suits against them. The majority of these suits involve patient communication. It is important for these two fields to work together well and both works to understand the patient’s illnesses and medicines. Some responsibility has to be given to the patient who must ask questions and not be fearful of speaking up. The desire to have whatever test is asked for is strong as the patient wants to be well, to have the problem go away.
The radiographer is susceptible to problems with radiation exposure which can develop from developing X-rays though this danger is decreasing as time goes along and the industry is improving and growing. Anyone who worked in the field for long enough is aware of that hazard. This includes sulfur dioxide glutaraldehyde and acetic acid. Because they are around ill people they are open to diseases
