As a radiologist, I interpret thousands of imaging studies every year. Of the millions of medical images that have crossed my screen, they all have one thing in common. They were all acquired by a technologist in the radiology department.
Imaging technologists perform a vital role in medicine. All have specialized training that is unique and critical to patient care. Truth be told, many of them have a greater knowledge base and skill set regarding the technical components of image acquisition in their specific parts of the radiology department than I and many of my physician colleagues do.
As health care technology has evolved, physicians have become progressively more dependent on medical imaging. Radiologic studies that cost hundreds and many times thousands of dollars have become commonplace with many providers ignorant to the role that imaging appropriateness and quality have on diagnostic accuracy. A low-quality study or one ordered for the wrong reason has the potential to increase uncertainty and medical costs by generating vague information, but a high-quality examination ordered for the right reason can save a life.
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