1/8/11

Radiology most sought-after specialization

MANGALORE: Don't think of a radiologist as just a specialist who will decipher an x-ray or do an ultrasound scan. The field has diversified so much in the last five years that the speciality is most in demand in the country.

Dr Prasad Hedge, a leading radiologist from AJ Hospital, says it is the most happening field in medicine that has led to increase in demand for radiologists from all sectors, be it the corporate, diagnostic or the colleges. He notes that a decade back, it was least preferred and not many medical colleges were interested in having an MD seat though they had the facilities. "With demand shooting up, there is suddenly a shortage. A radiologist, apart from doing the regular X-ray, ultrasound, CT/MRI now can be an interventional radiologist. He can intervene and embolise a tumour or an aneurism where a physician or surgeon cannot treat, that too without surgery, he said. The field has attracted so much attention that even super specialization (DM) is being offered at some institutes.

Another leading radiologist from Fr Muller Medical College, Dr Naveenchandra Shetty concurs with Hedge saying that the advancements happening in radiology have been so fast that the demand outstrips supply. Earlier, a medical college could get one MD seat for a professor, but this year onwards it has been doubled. "It'll take some years to match the demand," he says adding that though the city has close to 25-30 radiologists, it'll need at least a dozen more.

Dr Hegde points out that the course is so much in demand that only candidates in the top 50 in All India and top five in the state can get a merit seat. "A radiologist passing out is immediately absorbed and can earn good," he notes adding that even abroad there is tremendous demand for radiology and radiologists.

Read more: Radiology most sought-after specialization - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mangalore/Radiology-most-sought-after-specialization/articleshow/7187052.cms#ixzz1AUDe1O1b

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