TMC Podcast: Interviews with Medical Specialists
TMC Podcast: Interviews with Medical Specialists
TMC018: Radiology with Dr Sid Levy
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Dr Sid Levy is an advanced radiology and nuclear medicine trainee. He originally intended to be a surgeon, only changing his career pathway late in his training (during his PhD). However, while his career “took a hit” in making this choice, he explains to us why he does not regret his decision. Indeed, he encourages us all to make sure we are fully invested in the field we are pursuing when we discover what that is. For Sid, radiology offers a world of “changing technologies” and the opportunity to “branch out” into myriad subspecialties once established. The enviable work-life balance and novel technologies outweighed any doubts he had about the field.

Sid’s typical day involves a mix between performing and reporting on scans. He works with a variety of fields, from cardiology to neurology to his personal favourite in oncology. In this field, he is pioneering the use of PET scans in identifying and managing tumours. Indeed, Sid sees the future of radiology as involving much more nuclear medicine as our reliance on technology and understanding of tumours increases. He enlightens listeners as to the benefits and drawbacks of working primarily with medical colleagues in lieu of patients.

Medical students who find themselves drawn to the visual world, visuospatial orientation and even video games will thrive in a radiology setting. Sid discusses the benefits that attention to detail and “learning a recipe” in order to hone one’s craft have. Yet at the same time, he affirms the need for diplomacy and dexterity to appease the colleagues he works with. There is also scope for those who enjoy the science, physics and biochemistry of the different imaging modalities, given that this is where he sees the future lies.

As always, we end our discussion with hot topics including the best time to take time off, the competitiveness of the field, and why radiology exams are considered the “hardest of all specialties” (!!). Nevertheless, there are numerous ways to enter the course, and once one has finished core training, there is great “variety and flexibility” available in this interesting and ever-changing field.

If you have any other questions you’d like us to ask Dr Sid Levy, fill out the form below or shoot us a message!

Pathways into Radiology

Medical School →  Internship → HMO (2 full years) → RANZCR Radiology Training Program (5 years full time equivalent) → Consultant → Nuclear Medicine subspecialty training (2 years)

Source: Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists

Salary

According to the Australian Government Taxation Data, in the 2013-14 income year we had:

  • 713 female diagnostic and interventional radiologists earning an average of $180,695
  • 1,139 male diagnostic and interventional radiologists earning an average of $386,003
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TMC018: Radiology with Dr Sid Levy

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