Radiologists - Threatened by a veritable identity crisis?

cannot claim to be the sole diagnostic agency and must share the prerogative of interpretation with others. Prime examples are specialty-specific diagnostic imaging e.g., for orthopedic specialists and the undisputed authority of other disciplines, such as dentistry, in adapting the imaging material to the case and treatment. The radiologist`s status is inferior to the clinician`s in individual cases considerably so and radiologists do not diminish this inferiority when they ask their referrring colleague what the latter expects to find from their report. Physicians who request examinations can supply most of the answers themselves, based on their specialist training and several years of practical experience in their discipline. The surgical specialities also have the advantage that they can compare the images directly with the site. No consultative discussion or clinical-radiological meeting can compensate for this privilege.