What do radiography classes consist of?

Question

Are there any RT's out there that can give me the gist of what radiography classes are like after completing the pre-reqs? I am thinking of taking up some classes, but I'm just trying to get an idea of what the actual radiography classes are like (clinical rotation, lectures- long?, being taught how to operate machines, etc...)?

thanks!

Answer 1

I'm sure every school is different, but I went through a hospital program which lists the following curriculum on their website. Depending on the day, we spent a few hours in classes, and the rest of the day in our clinical rotation.

Clinical Education - Clinical rotations expose students to all aspects of medical imaging including:

-Fluoroscopy: imaging of internal organs in motion shown on a fluoroscopic screen.
-Tomography: imaging of selected planes within the body utilizing blurring effect of tube motion.
-Radiography: x-ray images of skeletal structures and internal organs recorded on film.
-Portable Radiography: use of mobile equipment at bedside, in surgery, or in the emergency room to obtain radiographic films.
-Computerized Tomography: computer-produced cross sectional images of body parts.
-Mammography: imaging of the soft tissues of the body.
-Ultrasound: imaging using high frequency sound waves instead of x-rays.
-Nuclear Medicine: diagnosis and treatment of disease using administration of radiopharmaceuticals.
-Magnetic Resonance Imaging: sectional views of the body without the use of ionizing radiation.


Didactic Education - The radiographer must possess and demonstrate knowledge of and competency in, but not limited to, the following areas:

-Anatomy and Physiology: general anatomy and anatomical relationships, organ and system functions and relationships, and cross sectional anatomy in order to perform accurate radiographic examinations.
-Medical Ethics: ethical and legal considerations which impact upon the practice.
-Medical Terminology: an understanding of abbreviations, symbols, terms, and phrases necessary to communicate with other professionals involved in patient care.
-Patient Care: attention to and concern for, the physical and psychological needs of the patient undergoing the radiographic examination.
-Radiologic Positioning: proper beam-part-film alignment with respect to source of radiation and area to be examined.
-Radiographic Exposure: appropriate selection of all technical factors to produce a diagnostic quality radiograph.
-Radiographic Pathology: knowledge of disease, anomalies and abnormalities which influence performance of radiographic procedures.
-Radiographic Physics: atomic structure, beam quality, radiation interactions, the function and operation of various generator components.
-Radiation Protection: the use of beam restrictive devices, patient shielding techniques, proper screenfilm
combinations, accurate assessment and implementation of appropriate exposure factors as well as a working understanding of governmental regulations.
-Radiation Biology: understanding of beam formation and radiation interaction with matter as it relates to genetic and somatic effects.
-Special Imaging Modalities: the modalities covered will be Ultrasound, Nuclear Medicine, CT Scanning, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Mammography, and Vascular Imaging. (Provided by A.S.R.T. “Scope of Practice for the Radiographer”)