Diagnostic Radiographist or Physiotherapist--which one is harder physically?

Actually working in a CT department (not a radiographer mind you) I would say that to me physio is a physically harder job usually as you're required to mobilise patients, possibly work in rehabilitation, do suctioning and chest physio, etc.

Reply 3

puddlejumper

2

mackers_ire

Actually working in a CT department (not a radiographer mind you) I would say that to me physio is a physically harder job usually as you're required to mobilise patients, possibly work in rehabilitation, do suctioning and chest physio, etc.

Not all the time though. A physio will spend a lot of time simply sitting talking to patients especially at out-patient clinics, whereas a radiographer is mainly bringing people in, x-raying them and showing them out without any sitting being involved at all.

Reply 4

OP

hmmm?!?!?.

I guess a work experience placement is necessery although that seems somewhat tricky to organize after my enquiries today.

Anyone actually on placements and can give me any more info? Thanks.

---I started this thread at about 3.30am, the thread title isnt really that specific and isnt even worded correctly(diagnostic radiographist?)-any way I could change it? Thanks.

Reply 5

puddlejumper

Not all the time though. A physio will spend a lot of time simply sitting talking to patients especially at out-patient clinics, whereas a radiographer is mainly bringing people in, x-raying them and showing them out without any sitting being involved at all.

Actually in many departments it's now Imaging Assistants that do the bringing in, preparing, etc., particuarly so in CT also where radiographers spend most of their time sitting and scanning (note not arguing, just putting forward my experience of it so far :smile:

)

Edited to add: still physio's typically spend a lot more time mobilising patients, whereas for many patients in x-ray. ct etc most outpatients are reasonably mobile

Reply 6

puddlejumper

2

mackers_ire

Actually in many departments it's now Imaging Assistants that do the bringing in, preparing, etc., particuarly so in CT also where radiographers spend most of their time sitting and scanning (note not arguing, just putting forward my experience of it so far :smile:

)

Edited to add: still physio's typically spend a lot more time mobilising patients, whereas for many patients in x-ray. ct etc most outpatients are reasonably mobile

Are you serious?

They employ people to wlak into the corridor, call for patient x and then escort them to the X-ray room for the radiographer to position?

Talk about money for old rope!

In hospitals that I've been in the radiographer walks through the changing cubicle and calls the patient's name. Leaves them in the cubicle to undress if necessary and takes them through the second door into the X-ray room. A total distance of about six steps!

Reply 7

puddlejumper

Are you serious?

They employ people to wlak into the corridor, call for patient x and then escort them to the X-ray room for the radiographer to position?

Talk about money for old rope!

In hospitals that I've been in the radiographer walks through the changing cubicle and calls the patient's name. Leaves them in the cubicle to undress if necessary and takes them through the second door into the X-ray room. A total distance of about six steps!

Where I work Imaging Assistants undertake admin, reception, cannulation, gastrograffin preparation, contrast injector setup, etc. Similar to the assistance some HCAs would offer to the nursing roles. And not all departments are sensibly organised with reception areas directly adjacent to the scanning area. However I do acknowledge each hospital can be organised differently, hence my stating in my experience this was the setup.

However I feel we're digressing from the original point, but let's just say that from my observations physios have a more physically demanding role in their day-to-day interactions with their average patients, however some roles in radiography (as well as many other healthcare roles) do require some amount of standing and greater physical effort :smile:

OP- have you done any work shadowing or observation in both areas? Do you already have an idea of what specific field in each area you would be aiming to eventually specialise in?

Reply 8

OP

mackers_ire

OP- have you done any work shadowing or observation in both areas? Do you already have an idea of what specific field in each area you would be aiming to eventually specialise in?

No-im currently trying to organise a work placement. Any previous experience observing both areas hasnt been anything like a day to day thing(or even 1 full day in the Life of a physio/diagnostic radiographer).

I have quite an extensive personal experience with physios(injuries, post surgery etc). Radiography wise less so(unless you want to count various scans ive had done). Apart from those things on a personal level,ive done a lot of research, watching vids etc.

...and as for anything specific-im not really set on anything at this moment.

To be honest-radiography wise, the 'reporting' is a major inticement for me--but its still a bit of an an unknown for me at the moment. How much do you actually do with some form of post graduate study? You might need relevant experience in a certain field too before you go into it etc etc...--The placement will hopefully clear a few things up

I guess it ties back into my original question. Its like im trying to say-- if I specialise in reporting i.e mri--could i fade into the background and just 'report' :smile:

or is what im thinking, being a 'Consultant Radiologist' or something.

Please let me know if you have anything to add here. I need any input i can get. Thanks!

Reply 9

Juicy_Lucy x

Hiya,

I can definately relate to your problem. I have considered Occupational Therapy, but am worried about the physical aspects of the career!

I am now thinking more about Speech and Language Therapy as an alternative... its hard to find info on this issue!

Good luck x

Reply 10

And21

No-im currently trying to organise a work placement. Any previous experience observing both areas hasnt been anything like a day to day thing(or even 1 full day in the Life of a physio/diagnostic radiographer).

I have quite an extensive personal experience with physios(injuries, post surgery etc). Radiography wise less so(unless you want to count various scans ive had done). Apart from those things on a personal level,ive done a lot of research, watching vids etc.

...and as for anything specific-im not really set on anything at this moment.

To be honest-radiography wise, the 'reporting' is a major inticement for me--but its still a bit of an an unknown for me at the moment. How much do you actually do with some form of post graduate study? You might need relevant experience in a certain field too before you go into it etc etc...--The placement will hopefully clear a few things up

I guess it ties back into my original question. Its like im trying to say-- if I specialise in reporting i.e mri--could i fade into the background and just 'report' :smile:

or is what im thinking, being a 'Consultant Radiologist' or something.

Please let me know if you have anything to add here. I need any input i can get. Thanks!

As far as I can see, reporting is only undertaken by experienced radiographers with post-graduate qualifications:

http://www.radiographycareers.co.uk/resources/diagdet.pdf

Even when reporting, you would still also be scanning, managing staff, etc.

So it depends how long you're willing to wait to reach that career level or if you really want to work more independently such as a self-employed physio :smile:

Reply 11

OP

mackers_ire

As far as I can see, reporting is only undertaken by experienced radiographers with post-graduate qualifications:

http://www.radiographycareers.co.uk/resources/diagdet.pdf

Even when reporting, you would still also be scanning, managing staff, etc.

So it depends how long you're willing to wait to reach that career level or if you really want to work more independently such as a self-employed physio :smile:

yeh, these are the points pretty much in my head now.

Apart from the self-employed physio part :s-smilie:

Physio does seem to me to be more physically demanding(lets just say for my legs)...but the thing is i dont know if it's actually going to seriously have a negative effect on me or a patient until you undertake a Physios duties(lets just say Outpatient) for a period of time.

---that leads me off into the specializations-- and how they would positively/negatively impact. More research is needed here.

I guess physio wise, id like the ability to positively impact a patient directly and help them. This would be a big plus for me--through my own personal experiences with them, Ive seen what a 'good' physio can do(even when mixed in with all the poor physio experiences ive had )

Radiography offers something new, something very intriguing to me etc etc, which ive done alot of research on but actual day-to-day work duties i havent experienced. It seems tough to get even 1 days work experience right now, so il just have to look into it more i guess.

Thanks anyway.

Reply 12