How Do Radiologists Help People?

[Ali Purinol]

So I'm curious to know why YOU went into radiology. I guess this pertains more to current residents. Many students (esp 4th yr medical students) might argue reasons for why their choice of a certain specialty is better. Just four years previously many of those students wanted to go into medicine to "help people." Well, how do radiologists help people?

The following is an example of something that might appear in a dictation of a chest radiograph:

"...the heart size is normal. no pneumothorax is present. bilateral hilar opacities are identified. this may be due to the film taken in partial expiration. clinical correlation recommended."

A post i read earlier said something about computers not being able to replace radiologists, etc. The person went on to say that its the clinical correlation with the radiologic findings that makes the difference. He/She said you cannot teach a computer how to do that. My question is: when does a radiologist ever step foot into a clinic to make a clinical correlation? Furthermore, any responsible clinician would have likely seen the film already and made a clinical decision based on their interpretation.

So unless its a complicated study, for what purpose is the radiologist really reading the film and generating a report? Is it solely for this whole "CYA" phenomenon of which people speak?

Lastly, I might be interested in radiology. The conflict within me is, how will I feel like I am making a difference. After all, that IS the reason why I went to medical school.

Now let the angry replies commense!

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[asmallchild]

Furthermore, any responsible clinician would have likely seen the film already and made a clinical decision based on their interpretation.

You'll regret these words on nightfloat/overnight call as an intern. There's nothing more reassuring during those times than a helpful radiologist. Unless you feel adept interpreting all the CXRs for SOB and CT scans for acute mental status change while juggling admits and a million floor calls.....

 

[Taurus]

You're right, radiologists don't help people. You should go into IM or FM. We need more primary care doctors in this country.

 

[fun8stuff]

So I'm curious to know why YOU went into radiology. I guess this pertains more to current residents. Many students (esp 4th yr medical students) might argue reasons for why their choice of a certain specialty is better. Just four years previously many of those students wanted to go into medicine to "help people." Well, how do radiologists help people?

The following is an example of something that might appear in a dictation of a chest radiograph:

"...the heart size is normal. no pneumothorax is present. bilateral hilar opacities are identified. this may be due to the film taken in partial expiration. clinical correlation recommended."

A post i read earlier said something about computers not being able to replace radiologists, etc. The person went on to say that its the clinical correlation with the radiologic findings that makes the difference. He/She said you cannot teach a computer how to do that. My question is: when does a radiologist ever step foot into a clinic to make a clinical correlation? Furthermore, any responsible clinician would have likely seen the film already and made a clinical decision based on their interpretation.

So unless its a complicated study, for what purpose is the radiologist really reading the film and generating a report? Is it solely for this whole "CYA" phenomenon of which people speak?

Lastly, I might be interested in radiology. The conflict within me is, how will I feel like I am making a difference. After all, that IS the reason why I went to medical school.

Now let the angry replies commense!

have you ever set a foot in the hospital? wait until you are an MS3... it is rare to see a clinician actually look at a scan before reading the radiology interpretation.... and when you find the ones that do, even the the ones that are good at reading films still extensively rely on the radiologist's interpretation for the large majority of the complicated cases.... and this is in a university setting. In the real world, it is even more rare for clinicians to efficiently/effectively read their own films.

It is hard to see the role of radiology by reading a few benign studies. If you are really interested in radiology, do a radiology rotation where you are allowed to rotate through the different subspecialty areas and see more all the interesting cases.

 

[Ali Purinol]

You're right, radiologists don't help people. You should go into IM or FM. We need more primary care doctors in this country.

I've seen your posts abound, most of which leave these forums brimming with babble and poppycock.

Will anyone else actually answer the question that was asked?

 

[Taurus]

You're not going to get much response here because people don't want to waste their time. Go do a rotation in rads and figure out how rads fit into the bigger picture.

Btw, I was serious about the primary care thing. We need more primary care doctors in this country.

 

[amherstguy]

in my hospital for example- it is very rare when a surgeon does not spend at least 15 minutes with a radiologist before starting his case. this goes for neurosurgeons, ents etc. radiologists may not directly help people as a FP may but do they provide vital information many physicians use in their patient management. physicians know they can provide a cursory read of films on their own but are also aware that they cannot emulate a radiologists reading abilities

 

[colbgw02]

Will anyone else actually answer the question that was asked?

Whether you realize it or not, your question could easily be restated as asking, "what does a radiologist do?" If you're interested in radiology, then most people on this forum are willing to help you. However, you need to do your due diligence and figure out a little about radiology on your own. Radiology is a vastly misunderstood specialty, a fact to which your original post can attest, so you can understand why we're a little hesitant to try to explain ourselves to someone that has come here with many common, but inaccurate, preconceived notions about our profession.

 

[Entgegen]

I saw a radiologist do a peritoneal tap the other day.

I hear that radiologists also insert central lines.

They can drain abscesses, place nephrostomy tubes, and put a needle just about anywhere in the body, among other things.

 

[Ali Purinol]

Whether you realize it or not, your question could easily be restated as asking, "what does a radiologist do?"

Radiology is a vastly misunderstood specialty, a fact to which your original post can attest, so you can understand why we're a little hesitant to try to explain ourselves to someone that has come here with many common, but inaccurate, preconceived notions about our profession.

False statement. I won't waste time with the obvious, but I have a good idea of what a radiologist does.

I guess the title of this post may suggest otherwise. You help people by reading their plain films, CT, MR, US, etc all day. You help doctors by (hopefully) providing accurate reads so that they can make a more informed decision when providing care. But do YOU feel like you are helping people?

What I don't know is/are the reason(s) why you (collectively) chose to pursue radiology as a career. What aspect of radiology (possibly besides the great hours and potential to make money) draws you to the field?

What motivates you to get out of bed in the morning and start another day?

Are radiologists passionate about the technology, the science... both? Niether?

It's kind of like that question you were asked when applying to medical school: Why do you want to become a doctor...

Well, Why did YOU choose radiology?

 

[igottaquestion]

Well, how do radiologists help people?

But do YOU feel like you are helping people?

I'm no radiologist, but I feel like I can help you as a person appreciate that you were indeed asking a different question initially and are being a bit toolish concerning the responses.

 

[Substance]

It's an easy answer:

A radiologist essentially makes the call about should happen to a patient after the patient's clinical physicians reach a diagnostic/therapeutic fork in the road.

They save patients from being exposed to unnecessary and often uncomfortable and dangerous interventions, and also find important diseases in patients that are clinically insidious, such as lung tumours. They save patients from being harmed iatrogenically, such as being fed through a bronichal NG placement, etc. The examples are nearly endless.

 

[Ali Purinol]

So I'm curious to know why YOU went into radiology... ...Well, how do radiologists help people?

I'm no radiologist, but I feel like I can help you as a person appreciate that you were indeed asking a different question initially and are being a bit toolish concerning the responses.

You might consider some lessons in english before letting out a witless squeal. You forgot what I had written, so please refer to the originial text that I have quoted which clearly poses two questions. These questions can be considered interrelated. This is called "connecting your thoughts."

igottaquestion, It seems to me like you've got far more than just "a question."

It is troubling to see how no one in a radiology forum will step up and answer a simple question. It's no wonder the profession is "misunderstood." There has been little communication of worth. So far there have been few useful comments, and none of them even address the question(s).

The rest of the comments (much like some other forums) have been from blundering responders who like to chime in and illustrate their intelligence... or lack thereof.

 

[igottaquestion]

You might consider some lessons in english before letting out a witless squeal. You forgot what I had written, so please refer to the originial text that I have quoted which clearly poses two questions. These questions can be considered interrelated. This is called "connecting your thoughts."

igottaquestion, It seems to me like you've got far more than just "a question."

It is troubling to see how no one in a radiology forum will step up and answer a simple question. It's no wonder the profession is "misunderstood." There has been little communication of worth. So far there have been few useful comments, and none of them even address the question(s).

The rest of the comments (much like some other forums) have been from blundering responders who like to chime in and illustrate their intelligence... or lack thereof.

Psychiatric correlation is recommended.

 

[turkeyjerky]

Psychiatric correlation is recommended.

Lol.

Just four years previously many of those students wanted to go into medicine to "help people."

They lied.

 

[asmallchild]

Psychiatric correlation is recommended.

👍

 

[Ali Purinol]

Psychiatric correlation is recommended.

well, there you go again!

 

[fun8stuff]

You might consider some lessons in english before letting out a witless squeal. You forgot what I had written, so please refer to the originial text that I have quoted which clearly poses two questions. These questions can be considered interrelated. This is called "connecting your thoughts."

igottaquestion, It seems to me like you've got far more than just "a question."

It is troubling to see how no one in a radiology forum will step up and answer a simple question. It's no wonder the profession is "misunderstood." There has been little communication of worth. So far there have been few useful comments, and none of them even address the question(s).

The rest of the comments (much like some other forums) have been from blundering responders who like to chime in and illustrate their intelligence... or lack thereof.

Perhap you need to reread your own question, "how do radiologists help people?" (opposed to what you probably meant: "how to radiologists help patients" ... or ... "what is a radiologist's role in patient care"). You received multiple answers that are all correct. Let me try and put it in simpler terms that you can understand:

Much of a diagnostic radiologists job involves interpreting imaging studies. This directly helps physicians (who happen to be "people"), which many times directly affects the care of patients. There are a few subspecialty areas of radiology that are directly involved in patient care through counseling and performing a myriad of different types of procedures: mammography, body, musculoskeletal, and interventional- to name a few.

From my experience the people that choose radiology find endless rounding; filling out forms; pleading fruitlessly to motivate people to follow a diet, take their medications, lose weight; or standing on their feet suturing in an OR for hours on end (often times missing out on having a family) to be mind-numbingly boring and would rather spend at least part of their life pursuing something other than medicine. The future of medicine lies in the technology and innovation of non-invasive diagnosis and minimally invasive treatment of disease. The physical exam is outdated and can only take you so far. Treatments are often cookbook. It is the diagnosis that is most the intellectually stimulating. Most interesting diagnoses in the hospital, whether they are from surgery, medicine, neurology, PM&R, GI, heme-onc, etc, are first seen and made by the radiologist. To top it all, radiologists do not have to spend countless hours away from their families, do not spend hours filling out pointless forms, and work in a very nice environment. You won't fully appreciate this until you walk into the radiology suite after spending 30 hours awake in the wards on call

 

[synapse lapse]

This is one of the dumbest threads I have read on SDN. The OP surely is a troll - just look how toolish he is in response to everyone. I don't know any medical student that would ask how radiologists help people, the answer is obvious to anyone with a cursory knowledge of how medicine operates as a field.

 

[Gute]

False statement. I won't waste time with the obvious, but I have a good idea of what a radiologist does.

I guess the title of this post may suggest otherwise. You help people by reading their plain films, CT, MR, US, etc all day. You help doctors by (hopefully) providing accurate reads so that they can make a more informed decision when providing care. But do YOU feel like you are helping people?

What I don't know is/are the reason(s) why you (collectively) chose to pursue radiology as a career. What aspect of radiology (possibly besides the great hours and potential to make money) draws you to the field?

What motivates you to get out of bed in the morning and start another day?

Are radiologists passionate about the technology, the science... both? Niether?

It's kind of like that question you were asked when applying to medical school: Why do you want to become a doctor...

Well, Why did YOU choose radiology?

Congrats on learning how to troll, it shows that you may one day be capable of doing more intellectual work, such as nurse anesthesia or physician assistantship.

 

[Ali Purinol]

Congrats on learning how to troll, it shows that you may one day be capable of doing more intellectual work, such as nurse anesthesia or physician assistantship.

This is one of the dumbest threads I have read on SDN. The OP surely is a troll - just look how toolish he is in response to everyone. I don't know any medical student that would ask how radiologists help people, the answer is obvious to anyone with a cursory knowledge of how medicine operates as a field.

Troll... well i can only assume you're implying that I am "fishing" for responses. We have yet another few who likely failed English class. You are welcome to continue to believe that I am "fishing." If it helps you feel better about yourself then we've accomplished something. By analogy, you all do seem to fit the role of wandering fish in search for bait. In another words, naivety shines through your statements.

I have learned some valuable lessons from this forum: many absurd responses to a simple question. Some have actually answered in sincerity and I appreciate that.

So Congratulations to YOU, the imbeciles, in all your dedication and persistence.
You have successfully relegated this forum to represent a place where simpletons run amok.

 

[digitlnoize]

False statement.

Hey everyone! It's Dwight Schrute!

In all seriousness, if you can't understand that imaging is an important part of modern medicine, and thus, very important to the well being of patients...then we can't help you.

It's quite simple really. Doctors don't have xray vision, so we use a machine. Unfortunately, those images are difficult to interpret (being, usually, 2D representations of a 3D structure) so it requires special training to get good at interpreting them, thus allowing clinicians to "see" what is inside the body.

Pretty self explanatory, to me, at least...

 

[Taurus]

Troll... well i can only assume you're implying that I am "fishing" for responses. We have yet another few who likely failed English class. You are welcome to continue to believe that I am "fishing." If it helps you feel better about yourself then we've accomplished something. By analogy, you all do seem to fit the role of wandering fish in search for bait. In another words, naivety shines through your statements.

I have learned some valuable lessons from this forum: many absurd responses to a simple question. Some have actually answered in sincerity and I appreciate that.

So Congratulations to YOU, the imbeciles, in all your dedication and persistence.
You have successfully relegated this forum to represent a place where simpletons run amok.

Lol.

According to this year's charting outcomes, there are 1.5 applicants for every radiology spot.

So there are more than enough people interested in radiology. Therefore, it is YOUR responsibility, the applicant, to convince the programs that you understand what radiology is all about and how you are a good fit for the field. Not vice versa.

You already got good advice. Go do a rads rotation and figure it out. Each person will have their own reasons for wanting to do it. Better yet, wait until you completed MS3 and you may finally see what people are talking about.

 

[Gute]

You have successfully relegated this forum to represent a place where simpletons run amok.

😴

 

[cleothecat]

Radiologists often prevent those single-minded surgeons from needlessly mutilating patients, and we push those darn internists into actually making the appropriate diagnosis for the patients.

 

[salamander8]

Hmm, I believe the OP referred to one of my posts, regarding the limitations of computers in reading studies. I'm flattered, though apparently he didn't quite understand it.

Either way, the poster's question about the usefulness of radiology reminds me about the old joke about democracy: democracy is the worst form of government, except for all the other forms. Similarly, you could say radiology is the worst for noninvasive diagnosis, except for all the other forms.

Let's compare that chest xray dictation given by OP (poorly written, and also the weakest tool in radiology as it's just a plain film, and not a more powerful CT or MRI, so it shows radiology in worst light, but I'll work with it) with the alternative: physical exam. The physical exam may read: "question mild coarse sounds in left lower lobe; no fremitus." Not any better than CXR. And actually, even the lowly CXR can outperform many clinical histories and physical exams. And when you compare CT or MRI, it's no contest.

So, to more concretely answer OP, last time I was on call, for example, I caught an unsuspected bladder cancer on CT. Urology thought patient had BPH with urinary retention, based on presentation, history and physical exam. They ordere CT to exclude other etiologies, and I gave them one. Another example: orthopod has a routine scoliosis film and his prelinary impression is 'improved alignment, no failure' but then radiology pointed out big mediastinal mass that turned out to be neoplasm.

The reason there's been an explosion in imaging is that it's useful. Not because physicians are charitable and order imaging studies that radiologists can't help with just to give said radiologists self esteem or income.

 

[RADRULES]

Seriously tool - get lost.

Your question reeks of ignorance regarding how the modern clinical practice of medicine functions.

Do everyone a favor and go into PM&R you loser.

Furthermore, any responsible clinician would have likely seen the film already and made a clinical decision based on their interpretation.

You ignorance is on display for everyone to mock. You *****.

 

[Marsupilami]

Seriously, who cares whether radiologists actually help people ? They are necessary, period. Also, do pathologists help people ? Do anesthesiologists really help people etc...in everyday medicine of western countries, most patients aren't really helped anyway, they are just being "managed", if you will.


The central question should be, do I need interaction with patients to be satisfied in my job or can I do without it ?

Personally, I am still undecided regarding my choice of specialty. I have always loved physiology and think that internal medicine along with its subspecialties is the most interesting field in medicine. However, I see how crappy the lives of residents and even consultants ( note: I'm in Germany, consultants over here are getting their buts whipped ) in those fields are and it worries me deeply.

I only have this one life and am not willing to sacrifice it if I don't have to.

That is why I have done an elective in radiology among other electives to see what it was like...all I can say that quality of life is insanely better in this field. I'm just not so sure whether I will be happy doing this for next 30+ years. It seems to be perfectly suitable for personalities who love the technology and don't need interaction with patients. Ask yourself whether you're one of them.

P.S.: And whatever you do, don't count on the money. In a lot of countries in Europe e.g., radiology is quite easy to get into -pay in rads isn't any higher than in other fields, let's see how Obama transforms the American health care system !!

 

[Ali Purinol]

Seriously tool - get lost.

Your question reeks of ignorance regarding how the modern clinical practice of medicine functions.

Do everyone a favor and go into PM&R you loser.

You ignorance is on display for everyone to mock. You *****.

Aww, does this forum upset you, RADRULES? Do you need a tissue?

Do my questions not fit the type that you would ask? Must you revert to an immature defense and call names?

More importantly, do radiologists think that PM&R, IM, FM, and other primary care fields are for losers... or is that just you, RADRULES?

Wow, I eliminated surgery early on partly due to the overabundance of narcissism that was evident in the personalities of the residents and attendings.

All I can say is thank you for illustrating the disgusting traits with which I will never be associated.

...talk about ignorance...

 

[synapse lapse]

Aww, does this forum upset you, RADRULES? Do you need a tissue?

Do my questions not fit the type that you would ask? Must you revert to an immature defense and call names?

More importantly, do radiologists think that PM&R, IM, FM, and other primary care fields are for losers... or is that just you, RADRULES?

Wow, I eliminated surgery early on partly due to the overabundance of narcissism that was evident in the personalities of the residents and attendings.

The humor here is that it is you who acts like the asshat know it all with an arrogant attitude. Of course, you wouldn't know since your narcissism is necessarily egosyntonic.

All I can say is thank you for illustrating the disgusting traits with which I will never be associated.

...talk about ignorance...

Great, see you later I am sure most of us are pleased to be free of working with someone who not only lacks a basic understanding of modern medical diagnosis, management, and treatment but even worse refuses to accept responses attempting to correct his ignorance.

 

[Groove]

Ali,

Judging from your past posts, you flunked out of your first year of med school and had to repeat it. I would recommend spending less time starting fights on SDN and more time in your books if you truly think you might ever be interested in rads. You'll need amazing scores AND a good explanation for what happened during your first year.

You need a serious attitude adjustment.

Cheers.

 

[Taurus]

Repeating first year is not the ultimate sacrifice as some might opine. Sure, it tacks on another year to your "long-awaited graduation date." However, for me, repeating the first year was something that I think will benefit me in the long run. First, I had the opportunity to actually enjoy some of the things that I learned/saw during my first year. Second, I realized that 1st year medical school is rough for many students due to acclimating to a new environment. While I was repeating the year, I felt completely different than the previous year. The first year students in my NEW class were miserable(most of them anyways). They were everything BUT happy; just as I was.

This is hilarious. This is someone who had to repeat first year and now you come onto this forum and have the gall to talk down to us. Just wow.

Uhh, don't worry about getting into rads. You've got almost no chance. Focus on FM or IM.

 

[asmallchild]

This is hilarious. This is someone who had to repeat first year and now you come onto this forum and have the gall to talk down to us. Just wow.

Uhh, don't worry about getting into rads. You've got almost no chance. Focus on FM or IM.

I don't think I've ever heard someone say repeating 1st year was something they enjoyed. That alone warrants a stat psych consult and UDS

 

[DrRads101]

Aww, does this forum upset you, RADRULES? Do you need a tissue?

Do my questions not fit the type that you would ask? Must you revert to an immature defense and call names?

More importantly, do radiologists think that PM&R, IM, FM, and other primary care fields are for losers... or is that just you, RADRULES?

Wow, I eliminated surgery early on partly due to the overabundance of narcissism that was evident in the personalities of the residents and attendings.

All I can say is thank you for illustrating the disgusting traits with which I will never be associated.

...talk about ignorance...

If you did indeed repeat your first year of medical school then you have almost no chance in Rads. You'll have to look into other fields. It's just the way things are with how competitive it has gotten.

And I'm not sure how you lept from a couple people hitting a nerve on some Internet forum with you..... all the way to stereotyping the entire population of Radiologists as if it is some monolithic one headed monster that you "associate" yourself with, just because some people that happen to be Radiologists think you have been seriously rude and a little off your rocker this entire time. What do you expect with what is an objectively ignorant thread (which I'm sure you'll see by the time you are an M4). The crux of the matter is that anyone who says things like: "Furthermore, any responsible clinician would have likely seen the film already and made a clinical decision based on their interpretation"... has obviously spent very little if any time in a hospital or a clinic, and that is what people are seeing here.

And the original question of this thread you propose is just another doozy when the fact of the matter is a very large population of Radiologists see patients and do procedures, so it's kind of a double whammy of ignorance here on display. Rather than take offense to this, accept the fact you have a lot to learn (we all do), take it like a man (or a woman), and simply move on.

I wish you good luck and hope you find the right field.

 

[Ali Purinol]

This is hilarious. This is someone who had to repeat first year and now you come onto this forum and have the gall to talk down to us. Just wow.

Uhh, don't worry about getting into rads. You've got almost no chance. Focus on FM or IM.

Ali,

Judging from your past posts, you flunked out of your first year of med school and had to repeat it. I would recommend spending less time starting fights on SDN and more time in your books if you truly think you might ever be interested in rads. You'll need amazing scores AND a good explanation for what happened during your first year.

You need a serious attitude adjustment.

Cheers.

I don't think I've ever heard someone say repeating 1st year was something they enjoyed. That alone warrants a stat psych consult and UDS

If you did indeed repeat your first year of medical school then you have no chance in Rads so don't even bother applying in the first place. Not trying to be a dick, it's just the way things are.

And I'm not sure how you lept from a couple people hitting a nerve on some Internet forum with you..... all the way to stereotyping the entire population of Radiologists...

ctwickman, the post of asking whether all radiologists were like that was meant for RADRULES, and it was more of a rhetorical question.

Taurus, asmallchild, notice how you both originally contributed to the useless rhetoric that's filled this thread. Now you take pleasure in poking fun of the hardship I endured during my first year. You feel an insatiable need to interject with useless garbage. May God help your ignorance, because it's doubtful that anything else will.

Look these last couple of posts have really helped, so thank you. I have focused my replies mostly on various haughty responses because I think it's unnecessary and I have a distaste for windbags.

It's interesting that you think of your specialty as one where someone who repeated their first year would have no chance. Who knows, maybe you think you're high and mighty and that no one without perfect scores, grades, etc would ever match into radiology. Yes, I've seen charting outcomes, and I know its a competitive specialty. No, it says nothing about someone repeating one year. Multiple med school advisors (and the PDs at my school and another school) have said otherwise. Good thing you all aren't PDs.

Let's see, whose advice should I take... a couple of barking cretins (not you, ctwickman or any other person trying to give a sincere response) that "assured me" in an online forum that I'd have no chance, or a couple of Rads PDs who've said it would be no problem.

This is the bottom line. I came here to ask residents in Radiology why they chose their specialty and how a radiologist helps people. I received multiple responses to the latter but none to the former. What's worse is that, intermixed with some sincere responders, I received a whole bunch of idiotic replies.

But not one of you, in an anonymous forum, could state your reasons for choosing radiology.

Furthermore, you should answer the question(s) regardless of whether or not you think someone should already know the answer. You know, one day, you might end up in court trying to defend yourself for misreading a film that caused an adverse outcome. The prosecution will be arguing that YOU SHOULD HAVE KNOWN THAT. They'll probably call you stupid and then empty your bank account. At that time, please think of the approach you've taken in the past to answering questions that OTHERS SHOULD HAVE KNOWN. Oh what, don't think it'll happen to you? Please, look at the data before you make yourself look even more ignorant.

Good day

 

[digitlnoize]

It's interesting that you think of your specialty as one where someone who repeated their first year would have no chance. Who knows, maybe you think you're high and mighty and that no one without perfect scores, grades, etc would ever match into radiology. Yes, I've seen charting outcomes, and I know its a competitive specialty. No, it says nothing about someone repeating one year. Multiple med school advisors (and the PDs at my school and another school) have said otherwise. Good thing you all aren't PDs.

I don't think it's a question of anyone thinking that rads is "high and mighty." It's just competitive, and your first year repeat will be a red flag on your app. Can it be overcome? Possibly. Can you overcome it? I'm not so sure. If you're as argumentative on your rotations as you are here...good luck.

This is the bottom line. I came here to ask residents in Radiology why they chose their specialty and how a radiologist helps people. I received multiple responses to the latter but none to the former. What's worse is that, intermixed with some sincere responders, I received a whole bunch of idiotic replies.

But not one of you, in an anonymous forum, could state your reasons for choosing radiology.

I obviously haven't picked yet, but I'll go out on a limb here and give you a few of MY reasons for my interest. You can find many more answers to this question by using that fancy search bar in the top right corner of the page.

I like the technological aspects of rads. I like computers. I like how awesome it is to be able to look inside a body and figure out what's really wrong with the person. I like being able to "help" 70 people (or however many CXR's I can read) in a day, rather than 12-20 "live" patients. I like working with other doctors, more than working with sick patients who vomit or bleed on me. I'm a little lazy, so I like sitting in a chair most of the day. I have a fairly lame immune system, so I like being a little more separated from the sick. I like the "lifestyle" aspects especially since I have a family, but wish the pay would drop a bit, so it'd go back to being less competitive. I like the hours, again so I can see my family. I think the future of rads is bright, despite the naysayers. I like the workflow. I like the possibility of listening to music while I work. And, it's what got me interested in medicine.

Furthermore, you should answer the question(s) regardless of whether or not you think someone should already know the answer. You know, one day, you might end up in court trying to defend yourself for misreading a film that caused an adverse outcome. The prosecution will be arguing that YOU SHOULD HAVE KNOWN THAT. They'll probably call you stupid and then empty your bank account. At that time, please think of the approach you've taken in the past to answering questions that OTHERS SHOULD HAVE KNOWN. Oh what, don't think it'll happen to you? Please, look at the data before you make yourself look even more ignorant.

The fact is that you SHOULD HAVE KNOWN (and, in fact, did) that your questions would be inflammatory. A simple search, or a read through "Choosing Your Medical Specialty" would have answered your questions.

 

[DrRads101]

I like the technological aspects of rads. I like computers. I like how awesome it is to be able to look inside a body and figure out what's really wrong with the person. I like being able to "help" 70 people (or however many CXR's I can read) in a day, rather than 12-20 "live" patients. I like working with other doctors, more than working with sick patients who vomit or bleed on me. I'm a little lazy, so I like sitting in a chair most of the day. I have a fairly lame immune system, so I like being a little more separated from the sick. I like the "lifestyle" aspects especially since I have a family, but wish the pay would drop a bit, so it'd go back to being less competitive. I like the hours, again so I can see my family. I think the future of rads is bright, despite the naysayers. I like the workflow. I like the possibility of listening to music while I work. And, it's what got me interested in medicine.

Took the words right out of my mouth.

But what really sets Radiology apart IMO is the flexibility. If you want to see patients and do procedures, you can. You can be like a surgeon. If you don't want to see anyone at all, you can do that too. If you want to do a mix of both (do procedures a few days a week, do reads the other two days), go for it, it's an option. If you want to bust your butt and work 80 hours a week in the hospital, you can. If you want to work part time and do it all from home while sitting in your underwear and having your kids play next to you, you can do that too. Or you can do a mix of both. No other specialty offers as much flexibility as Radiology.

 

[DrRads101]

Taurus, asmallchild, notice how you both originally contributed to the useless rhetoric that's filled this thread. Now you take pleasure in poking fun of the hardship I endured during my first year. You feel an insatiable need to interject with useless garbage. May God help your ignorance, because it's doubtful that anything else will.

There is no excuse for making fun of your hardship. It is a red flag though that will be tough to overcome just because there are so many good applicants in Radiology. But I am confident it CAN be overcome if you are truly interested in Rads and you apply to a lot of programs and are humble about your expectations. Remember the Radiologist who finishes residency from Harvard makes the same money and helps the same people as the Radiologist who graduates from Boondoggle Noname University. Either way I feel programs really like to look for people that were always interested in Radiology versus those that came to the decision last minute after they decided they didn't like anything else. Radiology's the easiest field to choose when you are disillusioned with medical school since it is so different from all other specialties IMO, and I think PD's would rather choose someone truly interested in Rads rather than merely disillusioned with other fields, so keep that in mind if you apply.

 

[fun8stuff]

But not one of you, in an anonymous forum, could state your reasons for choosing radiology.

reread my second post 🙄

 

[osli]

I have a distaste for windbags.

"Pot..."

"Come in Pot... this is Kettle..."



My favorite part about this thread is the final sentence in your OP:

"Now let the angry replies commense!"

You knew your OP was inflammatory, stated as much, expected terse replies, and then bitched like a little girl when they started pouring in. What a douche.

Judging from your ability to write intelligibly, I'd guess that failing your first year had less to do with academic ability and more to do with personality conflicts, though even the most abrasive people can usually figure out how to listen quietly and then take a test.

In any case, radiologists seem to really prize personalities that are easy to get along with. I'm not sure you'd "fit in" whether or not you are interested, or academically competitive. That is the case in many specialties, though many FP and IM programs will take a warm body.

Good luck with that.

 

[osli]

BTW, the search function would turn up a multitude of past threads and posts on 'why I like radiology.'

There was one from fw a year or so ago that was particularly insightful.

 

[Gute]

Yes, I've seen charting outcomes, and I know its a competitive specialty. No, it says nothing about someone repeating one year. Multiple med school advisors (and the PDs at my school and another school) have said otherwise. Good thing you all aren't PDs.

These people are likely lying to you. Notwithstanding that they are assuredly assuming that a match is theoretical possible in that situation given a high Step 1 and above average third year evaluations, a very unlikely proposition for someone who fell into the bottom 5th percentile of American first year medical students. I'm sure if Charting Outcomes looked at students who had to repeat a year of medical school for academic remediation, you would find that those students would have much less matching success across the board, at least in specialties where there is significant competition for all available spots.

As with any competitive specialty, radiology programs are often concerned with matching residents who can pass their specialty boards, tests which require a lot of self-studying. If you cannot pass first year of medical school, it becomes very difficult to make the case that you are equally likely to pass specialty boards as everyone else that didn't screw up along the way.

I can't wait for your response.

 

[Ali Purinol]

I can't wait for your response.

Well golly Gute, guess ya got me good!

 

[womp]

From my experience the people that choose radiology find endless rounding; filling out forms; pleading fruitlessly to motivate people to follow a diet, take their medications, lose weight; or standing on their feet suturing in an OR for hours on end (often times missing out on having a family) to be mind-numbingly boring and would rather spend at least part of their life pursuing something other than medicine. The future of medicine lies in the technology and innovation of non-invasive diagnosis and minimally invasive treatment of disease. The physical exam is outdated and can only take you so far. Treatments are often cookbook. It is the diagnosis that is most the intellectually stimulating. Most interesting diagnoses in the hospital, whether they are from surgery, medicine, neurology, PM&R, GI, heme-onc, etc, are first seen and made by the radiologist. To top it all, radiologists do not have to spend countless hours away from their families, do not spend hours filling out pointless forms, and work in a very nice environment. You won't fully appreciate this until you walk into the radiology suite after spending 30 hours awake in the wards on call

Best response of the thread! 👍

 

[Abacab]

Allow me to provide my perspective as a non-radiologist physician. The diagnostic physicians, namely radiology and pathology, are absolutely indispensable in modern medicine. Sure, the physical exam has a place...but how do you confirm a suspicious finding? They're often the ones detecting cancer and going in obtain the tissue for pathologists. They're an integral part of tumor boards. Their quick reads are invaluable in trauma cases where timing is everything. There are countless other examples. Whether or not the OP understands the value of radiology is insignificant. Your colleagues understand your value in their management/treatment decisions.

 

[ioncell]

Answer: Diagnosis

The role of the Radiologist : is to provide A DIAGNOSIS

have I answered your question ?
----

Why radiology ? because I think reaching a diagnosis is the most crucial part in patient managment . After that every bit is monotonous and boring in nature (filling endless histories,admit and discharge,drug charts,and 6 hour non sense rounds)

or in other words : dirty work .

you choose your part in the war .will you be in the front line like PCPs ? Or you could join the intelligence (if you are intelligent enough).

Done. Peace out

 

[GH253]

try diagnosing your own brain tumors without imaging and see how well that goes over

 

[chatterbox]

Sorry to interrupt this rather lively argument but I am looking for some advice. As someone considering a switch to radiology from OBGYN, I'm finding this thread very helpful and informative in helping me make this decision. I share many of the same sentiments as people on this board and believe more and more that radiology would be a good fit for me and my personality. I posted already on the what are my chances thread with only one response and don't want to take up unnecessary space on what is clearly not a what are my chances thread but you radiologists out there, if you are in a generous mood, please PM me so I can offer more detail about my unique situation and get advice on how I should proceed with things. thanks in advance!!

 

[klpham71]

Disregarding the OP's idiotic tone, his question does have merit. Radiology in lay person's eye is not glamorous, not even doctor-like, and therefore, its role is debatable from outsider.

Being a radiologist (recently started private practice job after fellowship), I have seen everyone else's (MD) job. I absolutely love what I do. The quest for truth lies in the search for correct diagnosis. Going too much into detail is out of the scope of this discussion. If you are a medical student, do a rotation early. If you are resident from other field, do an elective. Also, doing an elective is good way to know attendings for possible career switching.

How does one know radiology is for him/her? Personalities? We, radiologists, do harbor odd personalities. Can you work independently ? Efficiently (private practice is a world apart from academia) ? Can you deal with different personalities from other specialties? In private practice, you have to talk the lingo of OB/GYN and turn around answer question from neurosurgeon, as well as their personalities. Learn how to smile and be humble regardless you are right or not. In residency, in one month, I read more text book and a typical IM/FM/Gen Surg read in a year. Do I exaggerate? Ask around. When getting out, we work like dogs. We eat lunch at the reading station. We don't sit around socializing, for more than 2-3 mins, only when PACS or voice recognition restarts.


What's in it for us? You don't get feedback or thanks from your patient (except direct IR or procedural contact). You get feedback from their doctors, right or wrong. But gradually, the physicians will trust you and your evaluation. Their diagnosis and treatments for the patient greatly rely on your work.

We are highly rewarded for our work, intellectually and financially. Yes, Obama will chop most of it. Still, we are among the most satisfied physicians in US.


Nothing I write here is new to insiders.

 

[igottaquestion]

Personalities? We, radiologists, do harbor odd personalities.

Nice post. Care to expand on this?