In my community hospital practice, there have a number of occasions over the past 25 years where there have been various public forums, frequently sponsored by my hospital, where this subject has surfaced. In my daily interaction with patients (as an interventional radiologist), I have also crossed this "conversation path" innumerable times.
I have always responded to these situations in a similar manner. I like to educate these patients and the public on this matter with the following words:
"It seems that there is a misunderstanding of what a radiologist actually is or what he/she does. I'd like to mention a few things so that you are more aware of how we can help you and your doctor figure out what is really wrong with you and hopefully get you on the right track to recovery.
Did you know that a radiologist has gone to college for four years, medical school for another four years and then gone through a four or five year residency after that? That's just like your doctor. A radiologist is an MD or DO, just like your doctor.
Here is a really interesting thing. Did you know that a radiologist probably has more specialty training than your own doctor? That doesn't make us better than him/her. It just means that we are just as experienced or knowledgeable as he/she is. Their specialty is in dealing with patients just like you, but a radiologist's specialty is in advising your doctor which imaging study is best for your particular problem or complaint and then interpreting that test to tell your doctor what that test shows and what, if anything, else he should do to figure out what is wrong with you.
We are not "better" than your doctor, but we have expertise in an area that he/she doesn't.
When he/she has a question about what kind of an imaging study to order and when he/she needs a good interpretation of that study, he/she appropriately asks for a radiologist to do the interpretation. Your doctor should be complimented for realizing that his/her patients are best served by utilizing the services of a properly trained and board certified radiologist.
Do you have any other questions? If you think of any after you leave or if I can be of any other help, please call me through the Radiology reception desk. I've enjoyed visiting with you."
Short and sweet, but it has served me well over the years.
Kenneth J. Keller, M.D., FACR