A radiologist is a doctor who specializes in medical imaging: MRI, X-ray, ultrasound, scanner. It identifies tumours, infections, fractures and other traumas and monitors the growth of the fetus. It is on his diagnosis that the practitioner relies to establish the treatment to be followed. The radiologist therefore plays a central role in the screening, diagnosis and treatment stages.
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Get a scientific bachelor’s degree.
To be able to start studying radiology, you will first need to obtain a scientific baccalaureate. Then focus on the scientific section with a biology option from the first and work hard. The studies you follow will be very selective, so you should prepare as soon as possible.
Sign up for medical school.
Radiology is a medical specialty. To become a radiologist, you will then have to start by enrolling in medical school. Medical studies take 9 to 13 years to complete, depending on the specialty[1].
Pass the first year competition.
At the end of your first year of study, you will take an extremely selective competition. Please note that you will only be allowed to repeat your first year once and can only take part in this competition twice. Obtain your Diploma of General Education in Medical Sciences (DFGSM[2]). You will obtain this diploma after successfully completing the first three years of your training. Get your Diploma of Advanced Training in Medical Sciences (DFASM). You will obtain this diploma after successfully completing the three years of study following the DFGSM. These three years of training take place mainly in hospitals and constitute the « externate ».
Specialize in radiology.
At the end of the first 6 years of your medical studies, you will pass the National Classifying Tests (ECN). It is according to your success in these tests that you will be able to choose, more or less freely, your specialty, as well as the city where you will do your « internship », the last cycle of your medical studies.
There are 11 fields of specialization in medicine: general medicine, medical specialties, surgical specialties, psychiatry, anaesthesia-resuscitation, pediatrics, gynaecology-obstetrics, public health, medical biology, occupational medicine, medical gynaecology. For each of these courses, a limited number of places is fixed. To obtain the specialization of your choice, you must then be sufficiently well ranked in the ECN.
The specialization in radiology lasts between 4 and 5 years. Your training will then consist of a series of long internships in hospitals and you will now have the right to prescribe drugs. At the end of this cycle, you will obtain a Diploma of Specialized Studies (DES[3]).
Support your thesis.
After completing your studies and obtaining your DES, you will have to defend your medical thesis before a jury. The medical thesis is called the « practice thesis » and differs slightly from theses carried out in the context of studies in other disciplines. It is following the defence of your thesis that you will be awarded the State diploma of doctor of medicine. You will then officially be a radiologist and will be authorized to practice your profession in France.
Practice your profession.
Radiologists may practice their profession in a private practice or in a hospital setting. He may also participate in research work and hold teaching positions in a University Hospital Centre.
Stay informed of the progress of your field.
As a radiologist, you will need to continue to be trained in your field throughout your career. You will have to keep up with scientific progress in your specialty and learn to master the new tools that you may use in your profession.
Tips & Advice
Medical studies are very difficult and very selective. You should then prepare for it as soon as possible and persevere throughout your training.
