Sandor Abraham Joffe MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Jarett S Burak MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Devon Andrew Klein MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Marlene Rackson MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of international teleradiology attending radiologist coverage (ITARC) of emergency examinations on radiology residency training.

A survey was administered at 2 different radiology residency programs that have an attending radiologist providing coverage of the night shift via teleradiology from Israel 5 nights per week. 20 first and second year residents in radiology participated in the survey. The survey consisted of questions concerning resident education and anxiety during on-call shifts and the effects of ITARC on these aspects of residency training. The questions were answered on a scale of 1-5, with 3 being neutral.

The radiology residents feel that ITARC improves the on-call learning experience (score=3.7 with 1=much worse and 5=much improved). The residents feel neutral about the statement “review of cases with the attending radiologist over the telephone is comparable educationally to having the attending radiologist in person at the workstation” (score 3.0 with 1=strongly disagree and 5=strongly agree). The residents feel neutral about the statement “having an attending radiologist easily available diminishes the need for me to commit to a diagnosis on my own and is therefore detrimental to my education” (score=2.9 with 1=strongly disagree and 5=strongly agree). The residents’ stress levels on-call are high without ITARC (score=1.8 with 1=very high and 5=very low) and moderate with ITARC (score=2.7). The residents’ anxiety levels prior to a night on-call are moderate without ITARC (score=2.9 with 1=very high and 5=very low) and low with ITARC (score=3.7).

Radiology residents feel that ITARC improves their educational experience. ITARC also decreases radiology resident stress and anxiety related to on-call shifts.

Joffe, S, Burak, J, Klein, D, Rackson, M, The Effect of International Teleradiology Attending Radiologist Coverage on Radiology Resident Training.  Radiological Society of North America 2004 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 28 - December 3, 2004 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2004/4404584.html