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Patient and FamilyResources

ACR® members are physicians who are essential and valued providers of safe patient care. The following resources are intended to help patients and families make informed decisions about their care.

African American female radiologist sits at a desk and reviews imaging results on a table with a Latina mother and daughter

Radiology Information for Patients and Families

While we provide general information to help you make informed decisions about radiology exams and treatments, such information does not constitute medical opinion or advice. Patients or others seeking information on medical treatments should consult with their physician.

  • RadiologyInfo.org

    Get answers to your medical imaging questions from the #1 patient information website, developed and funded by the ACR and the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA).

    Visit RadiologyInfo.org
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  • What Is a Radiologist?

    Radiologists are doctors that specialize in diagnosing and treating injuries and diseases using medical imaging including X-rays, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), nuclear medicine, positron emission tomography (PET) and ultrasound.

    Learn what we do

  • Find an ACR Accredited Imaging Facility

    ACR Accreditation means that your hospital, clinic or health center has voluntarily gone through a rigorous review process to be sure it meets the gold standard in medical imaging — ensuring that you’re in great hands. 

    Find one today

  • Find a CT Colonography Screening Facility

    Virtual colonoscopy—or CT Colonography—is a safe, effective and minimally invasive imaging scan used to screen people for colorectal cancer. Find a facility near you.

    Get screened
    A middle-aged white female patient lies on a table before receiving a CT colonography scan while looking at an African American female radiologist wearing a white coat and white female radiologic technologist wearing blue scrubs.

  • Find a Lung Cancer Screening Facility

    Do you know your risk factors for lung cancer? Talk to your doctor about screening options and find a location near you.

    Get screened
    A female radiologist wearing a white coat talks to a male patient lying on his back with his feet inside a CT machine as he is about to have a CT screening exam.

  • Mammography Saves Lives

    Find out why you should get an annual mammogram starting at age 40.

    Get screened
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  • Appropriateness Criteria Patient-Friendly Summaries

    The ACR Appropriateness Criteria® are evidence-based guidelines for which imaging tests and treatment work best for many commonly encountered medical conditions. These brief summaries help patients understand which imaging is appropriate for their situation.

    Summaries by patients, for patients

  • Patient-Friendly Animations

    This series of informational animated videos answer common patient and healthcare professional questions about imaging, providing a resource to help them engage in shared decision making about imaging tests and procedures.

    Watch the videos