What it's really like in diagnostic radiology—from 4 physicians who know

As a medical student, do you ever wonder what it’s like to specialize in diagnostic radiology? Over the years, four diagnostic radiologists from around the country and working in a variety of practice settings have taken the time to be featured doctors in the AMA’s "Shadow Me” Specialty Series, which offers advice directly from AMA member physicians about life in their specialties. Check out their insights to help determine whether a career in diagnostic radiology might be a good fit for you.

1. Shadowing Olaseni Azeez Arogundade, MD

   1. Dr. Arogundade is employed by a group practice affiliated with Confluence Health, in Central Washington. Confluence Health is a member of the AMA Health System Program, which provides enterprise solutions to equip leadership, physicians and care teams with resources to help drive the future of medicine.
   2. He said he typically works nine-hour shifts, during which he spends about 80% of his time reporting on diagnostic imaging examinations.
   3. “This involves meticulously analyzing a variety of imaging modalities, including X-rays, CT scans, MRIs and ultrasounds, to provide accurate and timely interpretations that aid in the diagnosis and treatment of patients,” he said. The remainder of his time “is dedicated to performing image-guided procedures using fluoroscopy and ultrasound. These procedures allow for precise visualization and localization of anatomical structures, facilitating interventions, such as biopsies, fluid aspirations and injections, under real-time imaging guidance.”

2. Shadowing Katie Lozano, MD

   1. Dr. Lozano is employed by a national emergency teleradiology practice and works out of her home office. Her hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., but this is somewhat unusual for the specialty. “The majority of physicians in my practice work evenings or overnight and prefer to do so,” she said. “Most of our case volume is during the night, so fewer of us are needed during the day.” In addition, she works seven days straight, then has seven days off.
   2. "Working from home as an emergency teleradiologist, I love my job for the first time in my life,” she said. “My work stress level—relative to where it was in traditional private practice—has decreased to zero. After a four-second commute, I either walk on a desk treadmill or sit with one of our cats on my lap while I start reading patient studies. I often have the windows open to hear the birds sing and to enjoy Colorado weather. It really is that idyllic—open windows are exceedingly rare in typical radiology reading rooms.”

3. Shadowing Nicolas Argy, MD

   1. At the time of this 2021 profile, Dr. Argy had changed careers due to a disability and was five years out of a 27-year career in diagnostic radiology, during which he had worked in private practice and at an academic medical center. He said the one question all physicians in training should ask themselves before pursuing a career in radiology is: How important is daily direct patient care to me?
   2. “If you like interacting directly with patients in person, diagnostic radiology can be a challenge,” Dr. Argy said. “You may spend long hours in a dark room, looking at a computer screen. If you find joy in interacting with people, greeting a new patient and asking about their family, their kids and their new dog, that will not happen.”
   3. On the other hand, if you choose interventional radiology, "you're seeing patients all day long, and sometimes you have ongoing patients—ones who come back for repeat procedures,” he said. “Subspecialization in radiology can be very satisfying. If you love kids, for instance, as a pediatric radiologist, you'll have much more exposure to those patients.”

4. Shadowing Loralie Ma, MD

   1. Dr. Ma did her residency in the combined specialty of diagnostic radiology/nuclear medicine. She noted that she and her colleagues need to be constantly updating their knowledge, “as imaging modalities advance and clinical entities that were not previously seen or well evaluated are able to be evaluated. A radiologist needs to be very focused on their tasks because of the large volume of images they are evaluating.”
   2. She said one question physicians in training should ask themselves before pursuing diagnostic radiology and nuclear medicine is: Can I spend large amounts of time working relatively on my own?
   3. “I still interact on the phone with clinicians, my radiology technologists and my partners. However, especially as I’m a diagnostic radiologist and not a procedure-heavy radiologist, I am often in my office alone,” Dr. Ma said. “I love it. I have plenty of interaction by phone and with my techs in the offices, and I am happy with that.”

The AMA Specialty Guide simplifies medical students’ specialty selection process, highlights major specialties, details training information, and provides access to related association information. It is produced by FREIDA™, the AMA Residency & Fellowship Database®. 

Learn more with the AMA about the medical specialty of diagnostic radiology and the combined specialty of diagnostic radiology/nuclear medicine. Also read about abdominal radiology, interventional radiology-independent, interventional radiology-integrated, musculoskeletal radiology, pediatric radiology and radiation oncology.