[kotherxox]

Hey there, I am stuck on which one to go for...
Any suggestions?
Yes I know the difference between them; it is just that I want to hear your opinions because they are very closely related and it is a hard decision..
Thanksss!

[Bubble87]

I think the main thing to consider is the patient contact, with radiography your patients are in and out and you won't see most of them again, whereas with radiotherapy you get to know your patients and build a rappor with them over the 6 weeks or so they come for treatment. That's what helped me decide, I work on a hospital ward so I like getting to know my patients

Also, it's worth considering that radiotherapy has regular clinical hours (8-6 usually) with occasional on call at weekends. Diagnostic radiographers generally have to staff a department 24 hours a day to serve A&E. Just something to bear in mind really, are you happy to work shifts when you're qualified?

Diagnostics give you more speciality options though and you'll learn about several different imaging machines. In diagnostics you'll generally be working alone, whereas radiotherapists always work in pairs or groups.

I suppose the most obvious thing is would you rather diagnose a patient or treat them? I'm always interested in what happens to the patients I meet, with radiotherapy you go on the journey with a person but in diagnostics you see them at the beginning and never find out what becomes of them.

Hope that helps!! If you can organise some work experience in both areas it should become very clear which is right for you

[kotherxox]

(Original post by Bubble87)
I think the main thing to consider is the patient contact, with radiography your patients are in and out and you won't see most of them again, whereas with radiotherapy you get to know your patients and build a rappor with them over the 6 weeks or so they come for treatment. That's what helped me decide, I work on a hospital ward so I like getting to know my patients

Also, it's worth considering that radiotherapy has regular clinical hours (8-6 usually) with occasional on call at weekends. Diagnostic radiographers generally have to staff a department 24 hours a day to serve A&E. Just something to bear in mind really, are you happy to work shifts when you're qualified?

Diagnostics give you more speciality options though and you'll learn about several different imaging machines. In diagnostics you'll generally be working alone, whereas radiotherapists always work in pairs or groups.

I suppose the most obvious thing is would you rather diagnose a patient or treat them? I'm always interested in what happens to the patients I meet, with radiotherapy you go on the journey with a person but in diagnostics you see them at the beginning and never find out what becomes of them.

Hope that helps!! If you can organise some work experience in both areas it should become very clear which is right for you

Thank you so much for your lovely information Wow radiotherapy sounds awesome actually (simply because of the working hours; aha). Yes i will take into account everything you said x

[Miss_Rachel]

I work in radiotherapy and absolutely love it, admittedly i'm not a radiographer, but the job I do is done by radiographers in some centers. I think there might be more diversity in radiotherapy, as you can be on the sets treating patients, in mould room making the immobilisation devices, or in planning sorting the treatment plans for the patients. And all in 8-8 at the latest! With the occasional weekend work. Any other questions just quote me :-)

[kotherxox]

(Original post by Miss_Rachel)
I work in radiotherapy and absolutely love it, admittedly i'm not a radiographer, but the job I do is done by radiographers in some centers. I think there might be more diversity in radiotherapy, as you can be on the sets treating patients, in mould room making the immobilisation devices, or in planning sorting the treatment plans for the patients. And all in 8-8 at the latest! With the occasional weekend work. Any other questions just quote me :-)

Wow, seems very interesting!
hmm; I think i will do a radiotherapy degree simply because I wouldn't have to do night shifts; Ahaa! The problem with it is only a few universities provide this degree in my area.
Do you need work experience?
And how did you become a radiotherapist? In other words what A levels did you do and what degree?
Thank youu xxxxx

[Bubble87]

Generally the only requirement is a science A Level at grade C but obviously this varies between unis. I'd probably recommend biology, psychology and maths but there's a lot of flexibility really. You'll need BBC for most places I think.

[RadiotherapyTutor]

Diagnostic radiography is better than radiotherapy as a career. It offers more opportunity to specialise in different areas, more money, flexible working, variety,and more job opportunities. Every hospital has an X-ray dept.

[kotherxox]

(Original post by RadiotherapyTutor)
Diagnostic radiography is better than radiotherapy as a career. It offers more opportunity to specialise in different areas, more money, flexible working, variety,and more job opportunities. Every hospital has an X-ray dept.

Thanks!

How is the work load in uni and Is it hard?

[RadiotherapyTutor]

(Original post by kotherxox)
Thanks!

How is the work load in uni and Is it hard?

Study hard at Uni, be friendly and approachable in clinical, plus respectful to patients. Do your clinical portfolio.
Expect hard work but also take time out to enjoy student life.
You'll be fine.