The radiologist

The radiologist is a medical doctor who has completed a four year residency in diagnostic radiology. A radiologist may act as a consultant to another physician who is caring for the patient.

Following the residency, most radiologists become board-certified by the American Board of Radiology. Some go directly into practice, while others enter fellowship programs for additional training in a specialized area, such as the following:

• Neuroradiology - diagnostic radiology that focuses on the central nervous system, head, and neck.
• Pediatric radiology - diagnostic radiology that focuses on the unique techniques used to create images of children's bodies, their organs, and internal structures.

As a result of increasing knowledge and levels of technology in the field, radiology has become highly specialized, as have most other medical and surgical specialties. The current trend is for radiologists to become specialized in a particular discipline, such as cardiology (the study and treatment of the heart) or neurology (the study and treatment of the brain and nervous system).

Board-certified radiologists must adhere to the practice standards of the American College of Radiology.