Specialty Designation
Residency
Specialty Code
420
Type
Specialty
Specialty Description

A radiologist is a physician who uses imaging methodologies to diagnose and manage patients and provide therapeutic options. Physicians practicing in the field of Radiology specialize in Diagnostic Radiology, Interventional Radiology, or Radiation Oncology.

Completing training
1068
With known plans
962
Pursuing more training
897
Practicing in the US
26
Group practice
10
In same specialty
18
In same state as program
6
Academician
34
Full-time
34
Military
4
Non-medical career/left country
1
Academic year
2022
Number of accredited programs
198
Length of accredited training
4/5
Minimum number of prior years required
1/0
Offers graduate year 1 positions, available immediately upon medical school completion
Sometimes
Average number of PY1 interviews
96.20
Percent of programs requiring Step 1 score for interview
87.80
Percent of programs requiring Level 1 score (for DOs) for interview
38.30
Total number of active residents/fellows
4336.00
Average number of residents/fellows
21.80
Average percent female
26.80
Average percent international medical graduates
14.50
Average percent DOs
18.90
Average number of full-time physician faculty
41.20
Average number of part-time physician faculty
5.20
Average percent female full-time physician faculty
27.00
Average ratio of full-time physician faculty to resident/fellow
2.40
Average hours on duty per week
50.00
Average maximum consecutive hours on duty
14.70
Average days off duty per week
1.80
Average percent of training in hospital outpatient clinics
18.30
Average percent of training in non-hospital ambulatory care community settings
4.50
Average number of days of vacation
19.10
Average resident/fellow compensation
64176.99
Specialty Overview

What is a diagnostic radiologist?

A diagnostic radiologist is a physician who uses imaging methodologies to diagnose and manage patients and provide therapeutic options. Physicians practicing in the field of Radiology specialize in Diagnostic Radiology, Interventional Radiology, or Radiation Oncology. They may certify in a number of subspecialties. The board also certifies in Medical Physics and issues specific certificates within each discipline.

How to become a diagnostic radiologist?

A diagnostic radiologist uses X-rays, radionuclides, ultrasound, and electromagnetic radiation to diagnose and treat disease. Training required is five years: one year of clinical training, followed by four years of Radiology training. The majority of trainees complete an additional year of training during a fellowship. A diagnostic radiologist who wishes to specialize in one of the six areas listed below must first certify in Diagnostic Radiology.

• Hospice and Palliative Medicine

• Neuroradiology

• Nuclear Radiology

• Pain Medicine

• Pediatric Radiology

What does a diagnostic radiologist do?

Radiology is one of the most technologically advanced fields in medicine. Since the discovery of the X-ray in 1895, radiology has been at the forefront of minimally invasive medical imaging.

Medical imaging procedures include:

  • Plain film or digital X-ray imaging

  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

  • Computed tomography (CT) scans

  • Fluoroscopy

  • Breast imaging (including mammography, breast ultrasound, breast MRI and digital imaging of the breast)

  • Nuclear medicine procedures (including positron emission tomography [PET] and single-photon emission computed tomography [SPECT] scans)

  • Imaging of the colon (including virtual CT colonography and barium enema)

  • Interventional radiology (both diagnostic and therapeutic procedures using catheters)

  • Ultrasonography (using high-frequency waves to produce an image for medical analysis)

A radiologist is a medical doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of disease and injury using medical imaging technologies. Radiation oncologists treat diseases through the medical use of ionizing radiation. Interventional radiologists use minimally invasive, image-guided procedures to diagnose and treat disease.

Radiologists often find problems early by interpreting results of imaging studies or correlating medical image findings with other examinations and tests. They also provide diagnoses to referring physicians and direct radiologic technologists in the proper performance of quality procedures. In addition, they act as expert consultants to the referring physician by aiding in the choice of proper imaging techniques, interpreting medical images, generating reports, and using test results to recommend further tests or treatments.

To be successful as a radiologist, one must have the right training, knowledge and experience. Radiologists graduate from accredited medical schools, pass a licensing examination, serve a one-year internship, and complete a specific radiology-based residency of at least four years of unique postgraduate medical education residency.

Radiologists also often complete a fellowship, which consists of one to three additional years of specialized training in a particular subspecialty of radiology such as breast imaging, cardiovascular radiology or interventional radiology. In addition, radiologists are usually board-certified by the American Board of Radiology or the American Osteopathic Board of Radiology. Typically, radiologists are creative thinkers with a high aptitude for math and science who like the challenge of diagnostic imaging.

A radiologist’s work-life balance varies considerably depending on several factors. Radiologists working in a hospital setting are typically available most of the workday. Most radiology practices provide coverage to the hospital at night on site or on call. Teleradiology can reduce the amount of time a radiologist spends providing direct night coverage at the hospital but still requires the radiologist to interpret the exams concurrently. Many radiology groups rotate coverage, and some radiologists prefer working nights. In addition, some radiology groups work in networks to provide coverage to multiple hospitals in an effort to reduce the night-call burden. Radiology remains  a good option for physicians seeking to balance the needs of work and personal time.

Association

American College of Radiology
1891 Preston White Drive
Reston, VA 20191
(800) 227-5463 ext. 4956
acr.org

Grad Year
2022