Radiology is the use of radiation for different types of "images," including x-rays. Imaging simply means creating an image of the internal configuration of a dense object, such as part of the human body, with the use of radiant energy. Radiology is also sometimes called radioscopy or clinical radiology, the latter due to the many uses of imaging techniques for the diagnosis and treatment of injury or disease. Imaging includes X-rays, radiant dye, ultrasound, CT and MRI scans, or MRIs.
In the field of medicine, radiology is a specialization. A radiologist reads or interprets an image to identify an injury, determine the severity of the injury, or help detect abnormalities such as tumors. This is why patients frequently have to wait for the "official" results of an X-ray or other image, even if the primary caregiver has reviewed it. A radiology specialist must also interpret the results and consult with the physician or provide a report of her findings to achieve an accurate diagnosis. Clinics and medical facilities that do not employ an on-site radiologist should submit the image for interpretation and await the findings.
Radiology is an important component of diagnosis and treatment, so the radiologist has a great responsibility to obtain clear and distinct images and review them with extreme care. Faulty images or interpretations can lead to missing items or even misdiagnosis of the patient's condition. Obtaining high-quality images through radiology can be difficult when a patient is in pain or suffering from disease, so a radiologist or imaging technician must have excellent patient care.
The radiologist must also be able to comfort the patient, keep them calm, and explain radiology procedures clearly to reduce patient anxiety. He or she should also look closely at the patient's medical records and ask questions to make sure that x-rays or other imaging techniques aren't particularly risky for a specific patient, for example, a woman who is or might be pregnant. Since radiology techniques require the use of radiation, a technician must also protect himself and the patient from the potential dangers associated with radiation.