What is a subspecialty radiologist?
Jun 02, 2015
You might not meet your radiologist, but they take an active role in your care and treatment. Radiologists provide subspecialty radiology care – meaning that they have training to understand specific body areas and organ systems. It takes 14-15 years of education and training to become a subspecialized radiologist. Other medical specialties also subspecialize within their field – like surgeons offering care specifically in vascular surgery, pediatric surgery, hand surgery, etc.
Subspecialty areas:
- Body Radiologists – Study organ systems of the chest, abdomen, pelvis.
- Breast Radiologists – Focus on mammography, diagnostic breast procedures and finding breast cancer.
- Interventional Radiologists – Perform a wide range of minimally-invasive procedures using image guidance.
- Musculoskeletal Radiologists – Focus on bones, joints and muscles.
- Neuroradiologists – Study the central nervous system including the brain, head, neck, spine and corresponding blood vessels.
After graduating from medical school, radiologists pass a licensing examination and complete a one-year internship. They continue their education with four years of residency, followed by a one to two year fellowship (subspecialty training).
Radiologists act as expert medical imaging consultants to referring healthcare providers, offering guidance in the appropriate imaging work-up of medical problems. Radiologists also perform image-guided biopsies and other procedures.
Suburban Imaging radiologists are board certified by the American Board of Radiology and have extensive training and expertise in medical imaging.
