b. You cannot see yourself and your colleagues in other departments as special-
interest groups competing for the limited resources of the hospital. There are many
other departments and specialties whose interests and concerns are often inextricably
linked to those of the radiology department. You are a member of a health care team
composed of health care providers from many different departments and specialties.
2-9.
THE AUDIOLOGY DEPARTMENT
Audiology is the study of the hearing impaired. The audiology department deals
specifically with those patients whose condition cannot be improved by medication or
surgery. Demonstration of the internal auditory canals by radiographers is frequently
requested.
2-10. THE MEDICAL RECORDS DEPARTMENT
The medical records department is responsible for preparing, maintaining, and
analyzing the patient's records and reports from admission to discharge. When you
make an entry on the patient's medical record or verify the accuracy of an x-ray request
slip, you are contributing to the overall efficiency of the hospital's medical records
operation. You are also providing an important communications link with other
providers on the health care team, and furnishing medical and legal documentation of
the actions taken on behalf of the patient.
2-11. MEDICAL LABORATORY DEPARTMENT
The medical laboratory department is responsible for analyzing blood and other
body fluids by means of a variety of tests. Physicians rely on the reports provided by
medical technologists (or laboratory technicians) as a basis for making a diagnosis of
the patient's condition and for making treatment recommendations. Frequently, medical
diagnosis of a patient's condition requires test results from both the radiology and the
medical laboratory departments.
2-12. PHYSICIANS AND THEIR AREAS OF SPECIALIZATION
Physicians practice the art and science of medicine with the aim of diagnosing,
treating, and preventing disease, injury, and other abnormalities of the body and mind.
Figure 2-2 lists some of the areas in which a physician may choose to specialize.
Figure 2-3 lists some of the areas in which a surgeon may choose to specialize. You
need to be, at least, familiar with the names of the disciplines that these areas of
specialization represent.
MD0064
2-5
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