Physics preparation in radiology

[Haemulon]

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Forgive the intrusion of an upcoming MS1 this year, but I was hoping that someone here could fill me in on the medical physics preparation that is involved with radiology, either in med school or residency. I am just trying to learn a little more about a some of the specialties that are of interest to me, and am unsure as to the amount of time spent focusing on the physics prinicples and technical aspects of the imaging intruments versus the clinical interpretations in radiology. Are there references that are considered essential for passing the physics portion of the rad boards? (I know that I will not need to worry about this for a long while yet, but am honostly interested). Thanks.

 

[Naked Ned]

My residency program had a 1 hour lecture every week for our first year which I would say most of us paid some attention to and did a cursory amount of out-of-class studying to take a few short quizzes. Then about 6-8 weeks before the physics boards at the end of the first year we started doing a lot of studying in the evenings and on weekends to refresh the basic principles using a few different books (Huda is one helpful study guide) and do practice exams.

Basically, understanding imaging physics and radiobiology is important for being a radiologist, but most of your time is spent interpreting and dictating studies and thinking about the imaging findings themselves.

 

[hans19]

Are there references that are considered essential for passing the physics portion of the rad boards? (I know that I will not need to worry about this for a long while yet, but am honostly interested). Thanks.

Knowledge of imaging physics is practical for the quality control of images and for an understanding of radiation safety. But from day to day, you will focus on the interpretation of images. The physics board is simply hurdle to overcome in the path to becoming a radiologist, just like organic chemistry was for getting into medical school. If you are intelligent enough to land a radiology residency, you will be smart enough to pass the physics board. You don't have worry about any of this until after you match and you are well into your second year of residency.

At this point, your efforts will be better spent studying for your classes and doing well in medical school so you can match into radiology in the first place, if that is your desire. And don't worry about your medical school classes until you matriculate-- For the love of god! Take the time between now and the start of medical school to relax. Starting in the fall it will be a long and bumpy ride for the next several years to come!

 

[Haemulon]

Thank you both for your responses. That is exactly the info I was looking for. I appreciate the advice. 🙂