Radiology

Radiology is a medical specialty with the core function of obtaining, and interpreting, images by means of electromagnetic or acoustic energy transmitted through the body. Another, closely related specialty, nuclear medicine, obtains and interprets images produced by radioactive substances introduced into the body. A physician who has taken a residency in radiology is called a radiologist.

In the United States, the organization that accredits training programs and certifies radiologists is the American College of Radiology (ACR). It is possible to obtain joint certification, on completing the required education and examinations, in, for example, radiology and nuclear medicine. The requirements, in this case, are specified jointly by the American Board of Nuclear Medicine and the ACR.

Equivalent certifying bodies exist in developed countries, and some physicians choose to be certified in more than one country. This usually requires only one training program that both recognize, but two examinations. One radiologist commented on the difference between the ACR and the Canadian Association of Radiologists; the actual radiology examination in Canada is conducted by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.

Subspecialties

There are a number of specialties of radiology. The core competence is called diagnostic radiology, and requires the candidate to spend two years in a residency program in a broad clinical field, such as internal medicine or pediatrics. At that point, the resident can transfer to a radiology program, usually diagnostic radiology, although there is at least one experiment in an accelerated plan to subspecialize in vascular and interventional radiology.

Subspecialization requires additional fellowship training beyond the basic radiology residency. Subspecialties recognized by the ACR include:

• neuroradiology
• nuclear radiology
• pediatric radiology
• vascular & interventional radiology
• hospice and palliative medicine]

It is also possible to plan for multispecialty certification, such as specialty certification in radiology and neurology, and subspecialty certification in neuroradiology. Also, it is possible to come to some subspecialties of radiology through alternate preparation, such as a cardiology fellowship followed by a vascular and interventional radiology fellowship.

The definition of subspecialty has changed over the years, and some physicians are certified in subspecialties for which certificates are no longer offered. Their certification remains valid, although if they have a recertification requirement, it may need to be in the closest current subspecialty.

Additional oversight

Beyond the regular medical licensing requirements, physicians who use ionizing radiation, from external sources or radioactive substances administered to the patient, will usually need an additional license from appropriate radiation safety organizations. In the United States, this is under the Department of Energy at the national level; there may be additional local requirements.