The Student Room Group

Diagnostic or therapeutic radiography?

They need to change the names really. They are totally different jobs, with the only similarity being the use of ionising radiation, but people who work in them share the same job title and sit under the same umbrella at the HPC.
But yes you need experience in both to make a decision. Neither is quite as simple as you make out in the OP. I'm days away from qualifying as a diagnostic radiographer and I'm very glad I chose it over therapy.

im currently still so unsure on what path to go down. i love the patient journey you are apart of as therapeutic but I'm not sure if I'm cut out for the emotional attachment that comes alongside it. however from reading other peoples experience they have mentioned its less likely to find a job compared to diagnostic. also the fact diagnostic have more opportunities to progress in their career from specialising in certain areas such as MRI/ CT scans.

do you have any advice on how to figure what is for me?
i find both have their own pros and cons so I'm stuck in the middle of what to go for
Reply 1
Original post by Kira5
Hi Lindsay,I know that this was 5 years ago, but I am currently deciding between the two myself, going to apply at Birmingham City Uni also. What is the situation like in regards to shadowing at the moment? I assume very difficult due to Covid, but I’m not sure how else I would get a proper insight into what both professions entail.Thank youKira

hey, im also looking to apply at BCU! how was your experience there and do you have any advice with the application process. I'm currently still unsure on if diagnostic or therapeutic is for me.

thank you!
I've moved your posts to a new thread as the one you bumped was 12 years old. :smile:

Like DR, therapeutic radiography is a shortage profession so you should have no problem finding a job when you qualify. Have you managed to get any shadowing experience in hospital settings for both roles? If not, contact your local hospitals for DR and your nearest cancer centre for TR (check that the centre offers radiotherapy treatment and not just chemo). Ask for a day of shadowing as hospitals are more likely to accommodate this than a longer period of work experience. This really helped my DD make her decision (she chose therapeutic).

Also think about the work patterns you would prefer. DRs work night and weekend shifts. TRs tend to work weekdays between the hours of 8am and 6 pm with the occasional weekend shift for an emergency.
Reply 3
Original post by normaw
I've moved your posts to a new thread as the one you bumped was 12 years old. :smile:
Like DR, therapeutic radiography is a shortage profession so you should have no problem finding a job when you qualify. Have you managed to get any shadowing experience in hospital settings for both roles? If not, contact your local hospitals for DR and your nearest cancer centre for TR (check that the centre offers radiotherapy treatment and not just chemo). Ask for a day of shadowing as hospitals are more likely to accommodate this than a longer period of work experience. This really helped my DD make her decision (she chose therapeutic).
Also think about the work patterns you would prefer. DRs work night and weekend shifts. TRs tend to work weekdays between the hours of 8am and 6 pm with the occasional weekend shift for an emergency.

thank you so much!

i have a week of experience organized covering both DR and TR but that's not until the end of Feb as that was when worked best for the hospital. however since the UCAS deadline is the 29th of jan I just have to chance it with the one I apply for now. I'm hoping which ever one I enjoy at the experience is the one I applied for (which would make everything so much easier) if not I'm just hoping to go through clearing then.
i wasn't planning on going to university hence the such late application, i wanted to go through the apprenticeship route but there haven't been any entry-level roles open for either of them so I'm planning to apply as a back up option.

how is your DD finding therapeutic? i can only imagine how rewarding it must feel!
what I like about TR is the patient relation you build, but of course in unfortunate cases that can involve seeing their health deteriorate. having lost a loved one to cancer, I'm not sure if I'm particularly cut out to endure the emotional part of the career. but the rewarding feeling of knowing I'm making a difference in someone's cancer journey I can imagine to be fulfilling.

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