Running Head: DISADVANTAGES OF RADIOLOGY: IMAGING TECHNOLOGY INSPECTED

Disadvantages of Radiology: Imaging Technology Inspected Taylor L. Rogers Rowan Cabarrus Community College

DISADVANTAGES OF RADIOLOGY: IMAGING TECHNOLOGY INSPECTED

The definition of Radiology is the science dealing with x-rays or nuclear radiation, especially for medical uses (Dictionary.com). Although it is an excellent career that can provide outstanding careers and opportunities in the medical field, it does have its own disadvantages. Radiology can have some disadvantages in MRIs, the job field can be limited, and it can cause radiation exposure in employees which could potentially cause long term damage. MRI technology is very important in the medical field because it does not involve radiation so it is safer for many people including employees. But MRI equipment is expensive, costing over 1 million dollars for a single scanner. Because MRI equipment is so expensive, funding for hospitals is limited. Due to this, patients can end up waiting for months to get an MRI scan that they need. MRIs can also make many patients feel claustrophobic by the loud noises and small space, which can lead to unhappy or distraught patients and stressed employees. Lastly, MRI technology can be affected and flawed by movement. This can make investigating some issues more difficult. For example, it would be more difficult to do an MRI on a patients mouth because of constant swallowing, coughing and the movement of the patients tongue (Magnetic Resonance). Another disadvantage of a career in Radiology is the employment rate. In a recent survey, researchers scaled the job placement of radiology technicians on a point scale system. It focused on the amount of jobs in the field and need for radiography technicians. In the 1990s, job placement in Radiology rised from a .22 to a 3.8. But with new technology, by 2003 to 2006 the job placement rate had dropped to a 1.1-1.2 and then to a low 0.6 by 2008 (Sunshine). In 2007, there was a 3% surplus of Radiology Technicians (Sunshine). With new technology forming more and more every year, certain equipment may not require as much maintenance by employees which could eventually lead to fewer jobs in the career field.

DISADVANTAGES OF RADIOLOGY: IMAGING TECHNOLOGY INSPECTED

The last and most important disadvantage would be the extensive radiation exposure to the employees. Today, employees take precaution by wearing gloves, aprons, and other equipment which measures the level of exposure they receive (Damage). But in the earlier decades, employees didnt have the proper protection as they do now. ARRT researchers examined more than 143,000 records from 1926 through 1982 of radiology technicians. They received results back from 104,000 employees and compared the results with the exposure records. Four percent of the respondents were suffering or had suffered from a form of cancer; including 1,517 suffering from skin cancer, 665 suffering from breast cancer and 726 suffering from cervical cancer (Damage). Another study was conducted in 2002, and the results showed that technicians that had been active before 1940 had higher rates of breast cancer than technicians in the field after 1960s (Damage). Although the risk of cancer is lower because of stricter exposure standards, it still has not been eliminated completely, which will always leave employees with a risk of developing cancer through workplace exposure (Damage). There is no doubt that Radiology is a great career field to go into. But it does have some disadvantages that could be big concerns for a lot of people as they search for a career field. Radiology disadvantages come from its lack of funding and time management for patients due to MRI technology, its limited employment rate, and the radiation exposure that can cause problems for an employee later in life. It is important for people to really know what theyre getting into when they choose a career as far as the advantages and disadvantages. Although Radiology may not be the best job choice for everyone, no job comes without disadvantages of some sort. And Radiology is an excellent choice for a career despite the disadvantages.

DISADVANTAGES OF RADIOLOGY: IMAGING TECHNOLOGY INSPECTED

References Branstetter, IV, B. F., Faix, L. E., Humphrey, A. L., & Schumann, J. B.(January 2007). Preclinical Medical Student Training in Radiology: The Effect of Early Exposure. The Practice of Radiology, Volume 188, Number 1. Retrieved from http://www.ajronline.org/doi/full/10.2214/AJR.05.2139 Dangers of an X-Ray Technician Career. Retrieved from http://www.xraytecgnicianschools.net/resource/ (December 16, 2009). Magnetic Resonance Imaging Scan- Advantages and Disadvantages. Retrieved from http://www.webmd.boots.com/a-to-z-guides/tc/magnetic-resonanceimaging-scan-advantages-and-disadvantages Mohan, R. R., Chaljub, G., Esch, O., Fanning, D. D., & vanSonnenberg, E. (March 2000). Continuous Speech Recognition in MR Imaging Reporting Advantages, Disadvantages, and Impact. The Practice of Radiology, Volume 174, Number 3. Retrieved from http://www.ajronline.org/doi/abs/10.2214/ajr.174.3.1740617 Radiology. Retrieved from http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/radiology?s=t Sunshine, J. H., & Maynard, C. D. (July 2008). Update on the Diagnostic Radiology Employment Market: Findings Through 2007-2008 [Abstract]. Journal of the American College of Radiology, Volume 5, Issue 7. Retrieved from http://www.jacr.org/article/S1546-1440(08)00089-6/abstract