Your Questions Answered

What is a radiologist?

A radiologist is a medical doctor (M.D.). Your radiologist is a physician who specializes in diagnosing and treating disease and injury by using medical imaging techniques.

What kind of training and education does a radiologist have?

Radiologists graduate from accredited medical schools, pass a licensing examination, and then complete a one-year medical or surgical internship followed by a residency of at least four years. At Radiology & Imaging, many of our radiologists also have completed another two years of study, known as a fellowship, after their residency.

What does a radiologist actually do?

Radiologists play an important role in your health care. They are expert consultants to referring physicians. We call the doctor who sent you for an exam a referring physician or your personal physician. Radiologists work with your personal physician to choose the exam that fits your needs. A technologist conducts your exam and then a radiologist interprets your medical images and will recommend further scans or treatments, if necessary.

Radiologists also treat diseases. They use radiation (radiation oncology) or minimally invasive, image-guided surgery. Other physicians rely on radiologists to correlate medical image findings with other examinations and tests.

Will a board-certified radiologist interpret my exam?

Yes. Every one of our radiologists is a properly qualified physician board-certified by The American Board of Radiology (ABR).

Are all Radiology & Imaging facilities formally accredited?

Yes. Each Radiology & Imaging facility is formally accredited by the American College of Radiology (ACR).

What does the ACR do?

The American College of Radiology (ACR) has a comprehensive program of facility accreditation for radiation oncology, MRI, CT, nuclear medicine, PET, ultrasound, mammography, breast ultrasound, and stereotactic breast biopsy. Our equipment, people, and image quality must meet specific ACR qualifications.

Can I speak with my Radiology & Imaging radiologist?

Absolutely! Your radiologist is available to you and your referring physician. He or she will help your doctor choose the proper exam and interpret the results. Using those exam results, your radiologist will help recommend the next steps. Your health is our concern.

What is a radiologic technologist?

A radiologic technologist is a specially trained medical professional that performs your diagnostic imaging examination. They do not interpret the images—that is the job of the radiologist. Each of our technologists has successfully passed a national certification examination and they also must continue their education by earning credits every year to perform imaging studies.

Will my insurance cover my exam?

Coverage for imaging tests is variable and depends on your insurance carrier, your plan, any exclusions, and sometimes the indications for the examination. If you have questions regarding your coverage, please call the phone number on the back of your insurance card.

Why do I need to bring all of my prior films?

It is extremely important that you bring any previous pertinent studies. The radiologist needs to see how your current exam compares with previous exams. This can often eliminate the need for further studies and also helps to identify any subtle changes that have occurred since your last examination.

What time do I need to arrive for my exam?

It’s necessary for you to arrive early in order to complete or review your paperwork and prepare for your examination. Our technologists need to keep a strict schedule in order to accommodate the many patients we see every day. For some procedures, patients need to arrive earlier. Please check the exam preparations and instructions section or look on the backside of your physician’s order for specific instructions for your exam.

What clothing should I wear for my exam?

Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothes. You may have to put on a gown. Metal objects like jewelry, eyeglasses, dentures, and hairpins may affect the images. When you can, leave those items at home. You may also remove them just before your exam.

How soon will my personal doctor know the results of my exam?

Radiology & Imaging works hard to ensure that your exam results reach your doctor as quickly as possible. Usually, results are delivered to your physician within 24 hours of your exam. When you need results faster than that, Radiology & Imaging provides them.