Diary of a consultant radiologist
A consultant radiologist works alongside other doctors to help diagnose a patient’s illness and to aid decision on treatment, such as surgery or a change in medication. Using the latest in medical technology the radiologist can look inside our bodies to identify disease and help decide on the most appropriate treatment. A radiologist can also work alongside the surgeon using imaging technology, such as x-ray, allowing less invasive surgery.
This is an illustration of the typical activities undertaken by a consultant radiologist working in an NHS hospital.
|
AM |
PM |
Monday |
08.30-13.00
Theatre: angiography using interventional radiology (using x-ray to perform surgery on narrowed arteries). |
13.00–15.00
Plain film reporting: interpreting x-rays and writing up reports.
15.00–17.00
Spinal meeting: advising surgeons on complex x-rays and scans to advise best treatment. |
Tuesday |
09.00-10.00
Teaching session: giving a lecture to trainee doctors.
10.00-11.00
Neurology meeting: advising brain specialists on scan results and discussing best treatment.
11.00-12.30
Monthly radiology team meeting: the radiology team meet to review cases, discuss future tests or procedures. |
13.00-18.00
Theatre: angiography using interventional radiology (using x-ray to perform surgery on narrowed arteries). |
Wednesday |
08.00-09.00
ENT meeting: advising ear, nose and throat sessions on scan results and discussing further care.
09.00 – 13.00
Supervising and reporting MRI and CT scans. |
14.00-16.00
Teaching session: Providing education to medical students at the University.
16.00-18.00
Research and development: undertaking medical research. |
Thursday |
08.30-09.30
Monthly Governance meeting:
A monthly meeting to discuss clinical standards and safety.
09.30-11.30
Neurology meeting: advising brain specialists on scan results and discussing best treatment. |
13.00-15.00
Plain film reporting: interpreting x-rays and writing up reports.
15.00 – 17.00
Continuing professional development: editing professional journal and commissioning articles. |
Friday |
08.30-13.00
Theatre: angiography using interventional radiology (using x-ray to perform surgery on narrowed arteries). |
13.00-15.00
Supervising and reporting MRI and CT scans.
15.00-18.00
Plain film reporting: interpreting x-rays and writing up reports. |
Saturday and Sunday |
Urgent x-ray reporting (monthly) |
Patient assessment (twice a month)) |
Average weekly contracted hours: 44 hours (this figure can and often does increase when on-call).
See the diary of a
consultant orthopaedic surgeon or
consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist or
consultant anaesthetist.
