Frequently Asked Questions: Radiologists
What is a radiologist?
A radiologist is a medical doctor who has chosen to specialize in the field of imaging for the diagnosis and treatment of disease. After completing an internship, a radiologist undergoes an additional four or more years of specialized training in medical imaging. The most important task of a radiologist is to interpret the data from your procedure and combine that information with the clinical findings of your doctor. We commonly refer to this process as a "reading." The goal of the reading is to provide your physician with a clearer picture of what is happening inside your body. The radiologist evaluates the images and provides a report of the findings to your physician(s).
Not all radiologists are the same. At The Center for Medical Imaging, each radiologist is recognized as a specialist in one particular area of the body. Our radiologists are experts and valued consultants to your doctor. Because of their experience and skill, they can ensure that your exam is performed quickly and appropriately. The result is accurate and decisive images and interpretations.
Do radiologists have special credentials?
Yes. All CMI radiologists are board-certified by the American Board of Radiology, which means they have completed a radiology residency and examinations, and they participate in ongoing educational programs. In addition, many of our radiologists hold fellowships in subspecialties like neuroradiology, musculoskeletal imaging, abdominal imaging, women's imaging, head and neck, and so on
Will the radiologist meet with me during my test?
Not always. Your primary contact will probably be with one of our technologists who will perform your exam. Some exams require the direct supervision of a radiologist, while others are performed completely by the technologist and reviewed afterwards by our radiologist. If you'd like to speak with our radiologist, we will make every effort to accommodate your request.
Why is subspecialty expertise important?
Many of our CMI physicians sub-specialize in one or two areas of imaging. This means that in addition to their completion of their radiology residency, they have completed an additional training, or fellowship in a specific body part or disease type. Subspecialty training gives our radiologists a greater breadth and depth of knowledge that benefits our patients.
Our sub specialty expertise includes:
- Body imaging
- Computed tomography (CT)
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
- Mammography
- Musculoskeletal radiology
- Nuclear medicine
- Neuroradiology
- Pediatric imaging
- Ultrasound
- Vascular and interventional radiology
