At some point in your life, (or maybe on an episode of Grey’s Anatomy), you’ve likely seen doctors scrutinizing X-rays and CT scans. This quickly advancing medical field known as radiology is crucial to the prevention and treatment of health issues, and requires specially trained physicians to interpret each result. 

Radiologists use imaging equipment to internally examine and make medical diagnoses pertaining to the entire human body. They relay their examinations and results to other physicians, such as family physicians and oncologists, who then either jointly or individually create treatment plans for patients. Some radiologists also perform biopsies and drainages using electronic images for guidance.

Second-year radiology resident at Dalhousie University and Queen Elizabeth II Health Centre, Mike Rivers-Bowerman, was initially drawn towards a medical career because of the opportunities to treat and interact with others.

“Radiology, for me, is sort of the combination of clinical medicine with advanced technology,” he explains.

So, what exactly does a day in the life of a radiologist look like?

Dr. Jacques Lévesque, a practising radiologist for 33 years, explains that the specialty covers a wide range of duties, and includes both standard and unexpected situations.

“You have to be very careful because one case is different from the other,” he says, adding “usually the report goes on the same day, or sometimes it can be sent to emergency within three hours.”

He goes on to note that different images demand varying levels of attention. “Also, general radiologists look at CT scans. You can look at more than 10,000 pictures a day.”

Beyond X-rays and CTs, radiologists also focus on the interpretation of mammographies, ultrasounds, MRIs, and CAT scans. They can also choose to sub-specialize in areas like musculoskeletal and women’s imaging, which requires an additional year of clinical fellowship.  

A career in radiology first requires an undergraduate degree, followed by four years of medical school, and several years of residency training. Multiple Canadian medical schools, including McGill University, McMaster University, and the University of British Columbia offer residencies and training in radiology.

According to Service Canada, the demand for specialist physicians, which includes radiologists, continues to increase along with “the aging population and the related rise in degenerative diseases” and “the appearance of new diseases and new treatments.”

While demanding, the profession is highly rewarding and, as Rivers-Bowerman points out, ensures patients receive prompt and effective care. Other advantages of a career in radiology include utilizing constantly advancing medical technologies, problem solving on a regular basis, and helping patients in a minimally invasive manner.

In fact, it’s the path to getting there that is often the most challenging part.

“Our clinical days are about ten hours, and for residents, we're on-call every four to five nights. So at the baseline, it's often an 80-hour work week and on top of that we’re reading at home,” Rivers-Bowerman says. And part of the reason for this is the vast amount of information that radiologists are expected to know: the human form from head to toe.

Lévesque advises that potential students be “very open to change” and show “continuous professional development.” He also recommends the profession to individuals that are extremely disciplined and organized.

Salary-wise, radiologists tend to do well, and are currently some of the highest-paid specialists in Canada. Those working for hospitals can annually make anywhere between $100,000–$500,000.

“It’s a lot of hard work, but every job has its demands, and it’s incredibly rewarding to work in a clinic or hospital setting,” Rivers-Bowerman offers. “There are no downsides that I’ve come across so far.”

For more information on radiology, visit the Canadian Association of Radiologists’ website.

Photos: algarabi/Thinkstock