Insights

The NEET PG 2023 result was a revelation of sorts. Radiology stands out as one of the preferred choices, with four out of the top ten and fifteen out of the top fifty rankers opting for this field, representing a whopping 30 to 40 percent. This trend highlights the enduring appeal of Radiology among medical graduates over the past three decades. Reflecting on my own journey, it's been exactly 20 years since I obtained my Radiology Masters degree. My relationship with Radiology is a mix of love and dislike. 

On the positive side, it's an easy branch to settle into, without the need to build a patient clientele. You can set your practice hours and avoid direct patient interactions and violence. The best part? You do not even have to go to a hospital for work if you are a teleradiologist. No specialty in medicine can match that.

However, the downside includes a lack of patient contact, especially for diagnostic radiologists, and limited financial growth after a certain level. This can be offset to some extent by getting into interventional radiology if you have a taste for it.

To the newly minted radiologist, I offer some unsolicited advice.

1. Be a clinical radiologist: Think like a clinician and report like a Radiologist. Ask your team to get the patient’s history and do not hesitate to do some basic examinations yourself. This will help you narrow down your diagnosis and make you a star among clinicians. 

2. Streamline your reports: The commonest mistake one can make is copy pasting the body of the report into the impression. Think of the body of the report as a keynote presentation - and your impression, the take home points. Keep it short and sweet. Tell the clinician which finding is significant.

3. Take risks: Embrace new challenges and do not fear reporting a new study or performing a new procedure. Learning often comes from making mistakes. One should know however, when to seek help from seniors.

4. Be the owner: Adopt an ownership mindset. Anyone can be a leader. One does not necessarily have to be a head of the department to be one. Rather than tracking hours, focus on the cases and their impact. This will pay off in the long run.

5. Be humane: Have a patient first approach. When one does not see patients, it is very easy to consider him or her as just an object. Instead see the patient as a human. And put yourself in his or her shoes.

6. Stay informed: Keep abreast of the latest knowledge and technology in Radiology, as it evolves rapidly. The best part is you can learn from the comfort of your mobile or computer. Become an expert in any one modality or subspeciality but know all of them. 

7. Own up to mistakes: Never be afraid to own up to your mistakes. I have recalled patients to make corrections in their reports. Not only does it help the patient, it elevates your stature among the clinicians and patients alike. The radiologist who says he never made a mistake probably never reported or performed a procedure ever.

8. Embrace AI: Do not fear artificial intelligence; leverage it to enhance your tasks and efficiency. If you do not embrace AI today, you will be replaced by radiologists who did. Do not restrict to just reporting, rather make yourself irreplaceable as someone who can guide the clinician in making the correct diagnosis or taking the correct call. AI cannot beat you at that. 

9. Manage finances wisely: Start early with investments, aiming for wealth rather than just riches. Seek financial advice to secure your future, allowing for a comfortable retirement by age 50. The stock market is a good place to start investing when you are young. Invest, do not trade. Most importantly, get a financial advisor for a small fee to guide you in your journey.

10. Get an indemnity policy: Before you start getting your hands wet the most important investment you should make is an indemnity policy. This will allow you to report peacefully knowing your back is covered. And if you have not taken a health insurance or Life insurance policy as well, do it today.

By incorporating these aspects into your careers, you as a young radiologist can not only navigate the challenges on and off the field but also thrive and make a lasting impact.