Diagnostic Medicine Programs in Allied Health

Diagnostic medicine is essentially the usage of imaging technologies and equipment to aid or assist physicians in the diagnosis of various medical conditions.

It primarily consists of sonography, radiography, nuclear medicine and echocardiography. Sonography uses sound waves to generate images which are then used for assessment and diagnosis of medical conditions. Radiography, in contrast, uses ionizing radiation like X-rays to produce images of internal body structures. Interestingly, nuclear medicine uses radio-pharmaceuticals to diagnose and treat disease. Finally echocardiography records electrical impulses emanating from the heart through electrodes attached to the chest, wrist and ankles.

Sonography has applications in obstetrics and ultrasound imaging during pregnancy whereas radiography has relevance in treatment of cancer. Nuclear medicine, on the other hand, is significant in identifying metastatic lymph nodes through use of radio-pharmaceuticals [combination of radionuclides and pharmaceuticals]. These radio-pharmaceuticals are used as preferred markers and assist medical personnel in achieving better precision in removal of tumors. Electrocardiography is useful in diagnosing heart disorders.

Several programs are offered by various institutions in each field of diagnostic medicine. Depending upon the field of diagnostic medicine, programs may span Associate’s, Bachelor’s degrees and certifications ranging from 1-4 years. License requirements apply.

Career outlook for diagnostic medicine is robust with growth projections for sonography, radiology, nuclear medicine and echocardiography at 19%, 15%, 15% and 26% respectively through 2016. Sonographers, radiologists, nuclear medicine [technologists] and echo-cardiographers [cardiovascular technologists & technicians] earned median annual incomes of $57,160, $48,170, $62,300 and $42,300 respectively in May 2006.

Argosy and Kaplan Universities are well reputed and offer “best in class” education. Their programs are qualitative and flexible. Everest College enjoys strong academic credentials with skilled staff. Not to be bested, Sanford Brown College and Rasmussen College join the select group focusing their programs on practicality and customization to fit the goals of students.