At some point or other, nearly everyone will need a radiological exam, but many people aren’t aware of what role the radiologist plays in their care. A trained technologist performs the actual x-ray, ultrasound, MRI or other imaging test, while the radiologist is the doctor who studies the images to provide an assessment and diagnosis. Since it is quite common for patients not to meet their radiologist in person, there can be confusion over the radiologist’s crucial contribution to their healthcare.
To clarify, a radiologist is a licensed physician (MD) who has completed four years of medical school, a year of internship, and four years of residency in general radiology. This 13 years of higher education and training are necessary to deftly diagnose, manage and treat diseases and utilize the latest advances in technology and procedural applications. Some radiologists choose to subspecialize, meaning they undergo an additional one to two years of fellowship training in their chosen practice area(s). Many of RAO’s Board-certified radiologists have earned subspecialty fellowships, ensuring proficiency and hands-on experience in their respective areas of study. This extra training provides the expertise to diagnose tiny or obscure irregularities that might go undiscovered by a doctor with less training or experience. When you have a health mystery, disease, disorder, or pain management issue, the additional prowess of a subspecialist can make all the difference in your diagnosis, treatment plan and recovery.
What is a Radiology Certificate of Added Qualification?
Many of RAO’s radiologists have ventured even further to earn a Certificate of Added Qualification from the American Board of Radiology, which denotes proficiency and ongoing education in their chosen field(s). This supplementary education supports a radiologist’s mastery of complex and sophisticated evaluations and treatments designed to detect and manage specific diseases and disorders. RAO Drs. Ralf Barckhausen, Malcolm Williamson and Amanda Aulls have each earned a Certificate of Added Qualification in the subspecialty of neuroradiology, a discipline that addresses diseases of the brain, neck, sinuses and spine, and conditions related to the central nervous system, such as stroke, seizure disorder, cancer and trauma.
RAO Drs. Kareem Bohsali and John Scales and have earned Certificates of Added Qualification in Interventional Radiology, a discipline devoted to a wide range of vascular and non-vascular diseases affecting the abdomen, pelvis, thorax and limbs. These fine doctors provide outpatient options for treatment that are quicker, safer, less invasive and more cost-effective than traditional surgery. They employ progressive techniques like angioplasty, angiography, ablation and embolization to diagnose and treat patients without invasive surgery, as well as use pinpoint image guidance for procedures like biopsies, stent placement, vertebroplasty, thrombolysis, fluid drainage, fibroid treatment, hepatic and renal treatments, and nerve pain therapy.
Radiology Subspecialties Offered at RAO
RAO’s Board-certified team of subspecializing radiologists has the enhanced training and experience to utilize the latest and most advanced tools to diagnose and treat disease. When needed, they work directly with clinicians, doctors and surgeons to help plan any necessary treatment. Our doctors subspecialize in the following practice areas:
Diagnostic radiology – The additional education and training in this field help ensure the greatest possible diagnostic accuracy.
Musculoskeletal radiology – For a deeper look into bones, joints and muscles and the delivery of joint pain therapies such as vertebroplasty and peripheral joint injections
Neuroradiology – Our subspecialists diagnose and assess issues of the head, neck, spine and central and peripheral nervous systems.
Breast imaging – Services like 3D mammography, breast MRI, breast ultrasound, image-guided breast biopsy and breast aspiration have earned our centers Breast Imaging Center of Excellence designations from the American College of Radiology.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) – For analysis of the head, neck and body – including the musculoskeletal system, breast, prostate, heart, liver, small bowel and more – using safe, radiation-free high field MRI and open MRI
Computed tomography (CT) – Including next-generation CT, CT angiography, CT enterography, CT lung cancer screening, parathyroid 4D CT, cardiac scoring and PET/CT, which combines computed tomography with positron emission tomography in a single procedure
Nuclear medicine – Providing real-time diagnostic services like bone scan, DaTscan, Gallium scan, gastric emptying scan, hepatobiliary/gallbladder scan, liver/sleep scan, parathyroid scan and thyroid scan
Vascular and interventional services – Including nonsurgical diagnosis and therapy of vascular diseases and disorders, catheter and port placement, and minimally invasive treatment for varicose veins, uterine fibroids, spinal fracture, spinal pain and other issues
Of course, RAO also offers traditional imaging services, such as x-ray, ultrasound and fluoroscopy, for comprehensive diagnostic care. We are ACR accredited in breast imaging, MRI, CT, PET, nuclear medicine and other imaging services, for unparalleled quality and safety.
For Best Rated Radiology Services in Central Florida
The extra training and testing not only promote optimal diagnostic accuracy, they also add an extra measure of security for patients. After all, when you need a diagnostic or therapeutic service, you want to know your doctor is exceptionally trained, experienced and qualified. It’s our commitment to safety, security and accuracy that makes RAO the preferred provider of diagnostic and interventional radiology services for countless medical practitioners throughout Central Florida.
When you need a diagnostic or interventional service, you have a choice of providers. For more information on our doctors, staff and services offered, call RAO at 352-671-4300.
