What is radiography?

Radiography is an imaging technique used to provide images of the tissues, organs and bones inside the human body.

There are two types of radiographers: diagnostic and therapeutic. A diagnostic radiographer takes images of the insides of patients’ bodies to diagnose injury, illness and disease. A therapeutic radiographer is an allied health professional who has undergone specific training to be able to deliver radiotherapy for patients undergoing treatment for cancer.

A radiographer is also not to be confused as a radiologist as although they work closely together, they are different physicians.

What’s the difference between a radiologist and radiographer?

Radiographers operate the tools and equipment, whilst radiologists analyse and interpret the images, or treat patients with radioactive materials. Radiology is a branch of medicine and radiography is the type of technology radiologists employ to do their jobs.

What equipment does a radiographer use?

Radiographers operate the following equipment:

• X-rays – to look through tissues to examine bones and cavities
• CT scan (computed tomography) – provides views of cross-sections of the body
• MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) – builds a 2D or 3D map of different tissues
• Ultrasound – to check circulation and examine the heart
• Nuclear medicine imaging