Blake D. Niederhauser MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Kevin Liaw MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Robert J. McDonald MD, PhD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Kristen Barry Thomas MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Kathleen T. Hudson MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

David F. Kallmes MD, Abstract Co-Author: Research support, Terumo Corporation Research support, Covidien AG Research support, Nfocus Consulting Inc Research support, Sequent Medical, Inc Research support, Penumbra, Inc Research support, Benvenue Medical, Inc

To better understand the learning resources, motivations, and study habits of radiologists and radiology trainees.

Two similar web-based surveys were sent by email to all radiology staff, residents, and fellows at a single teaching institution. Results were anonymous. Statistical analysis with comparisons between trainee and staff responses were performed using chi-squared and Fisher's exact test, where appropriate.

A total of 105 responses were collected including a 73% response rate from residents and fellows (51/70) and 39% from staff radiologists (54/139). More trainees report electronic teaching files as a preferred learning method (41%) versus other options such as lectures (17%), hard copy books (11%), online resources (11%), or electronic books (6.5%). Hard copy books and lectures were most often cited as a second most-preferred learning method (26% and 13%). Residents report the following as “significant motivating factors” for their daily studying: personal pride in doing a good job (93%), improving personal interpretation skills (89%), and performance on board exams (49%). Fewer report performance on ACR inservice exams (2%), competition with colleagues (9%), or performance on program-specific evaluations (11%) as significant motivating factors. Compared to staff, residents are more likely to use a tablet computer for studying or referencing radiology (60.4% vs 37.2%, p=0.0201), and report more often (weekly to daily) use of PubMed.gov (72% vs 41%, p=0.007), Wikipedia.org (34% vs 13%, p=0.0157), electronic teaching files (61% vs 38%, p=0.0272), and other unlisted online resources (76% vs 43%, p=0.002). Residents were less likely to report at least weekly reference of hard copy journals (12% vs 24%, p=0.008) and books owned by themselves (6% vs 29%, p=0.011), but more likely to reference books owned the institution (71% vs 12%, p<0.0001).

Radiology staff and trainee learning preferences and motivations are elucidated. While utilizing a wide array of resources, radiology residents and fellows access electronic and online sources more frequently than radiology staff, who prefer hard copy resources at higher rates.

Radiology residents and fellows utilize many resources for reference and are more electronically apt than their staff.

Niederhauser, B, Liaw, K, McDonald, R, Thomas, K, Hudson, K, Kallmes, D, Moving to the Digital Age of Radiology Education: A Survey of Learning Resources at an Academic Institution.  Radiological Society of North America 2012 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 25 - November 30, 2012 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2012/12043696.html