C.S. Lewis once said, “Experience: that most brutal of teacher. But you learn, my God do you learn.” I agree with Lewis because everyone can pick up a book, read a few pages and say that I have learned. But only few can state that I have learned from an experience. Luckily, I was given the opportunity to become one of those who have learned from experience by observing a technologist. While observing, I was able to gain knowledge that I never thought I would achieve. Through this paper, I will share all my observations and personal thoughts on the things I learned.
My observation took place at Ransom Memorial Hospital on January 6, 2012 from 8am to 12pm. My experience at the hospital was very informative. I got to observe many different procedures, though mostly were skeletal. The one procedure that was most performed was the chest x-ray which included seeing chest, lungs, heart, large arteries, ribs, and diaphragm. Therefore, I got a very good description of how the examination was performed. Other procedures I observed were two knee exams, two of hands, one specifically for the fingers, facial bones and one fluoroscopic procedure called video swallow. My favorite procedure was the video swallow because in this procedure the patient was asked to drink and eat various types of food mixed with barium to see for any choking or swallowing problem. As the food was swallowed it would appear on a fluoroscope. Therefore, it was very interested to actually see the food being chewed and swallowed down. Seeing the examination provided clarity to me when I was confused on how it would be performed. This procedure also involved a speech therapist thus I got to interact with her and learn more specifically about she can also play a role in the radiologic technology field.
I also learned about the duties of the technologist. A radiographer is responsible for operating x-ray equipment and processing exposed images, positioning patients for diagnostic