Barton F. Branstetter MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Laura Elaine Faix MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Jack Schumann PhD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Allen Humphrey PhD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

The role of Radiology in medical student education has received greater scrutiny in recent years, including the development of specific curricula for medical student training in Radiology. Most of these efforts have focused on the clinical years of training, rather than the basic science years. The purpose of this study was to assess changes in medical student attitudes about Radiology and knowledge of Radiology principles after the introduction of an integrated Radiology curriculum in the preclinical years of medical school.

The first-year curriculum at our medical school underwent a major revision between the 2003 and 2004 academic years. As part of this revision, dedicated Radiology lectures were introduced to several courses, and radiologic images became integral to the patient-based learning sessions. A survey was developed to assess first-year medical students’ attitudes toward Radiology and their knowledge of basic Radiology principles. Students who had undergone the revised curriculum (Class of 2008) were compared to students who had undergone the traditional curriculum (Class of 2007).

Statistically significant differences were seen in several areas of the survey. Students who had been exposed to the new curriculum stated that they were more familiar with Radiology as a specialty, and felt that Radiology had greater importance to the overall practice of medicine. They stated that they were more likely to select Radiology as a clinical elective, and more of them were considering Radiology as a career option. Although the students who had been exposed to Radiology performed better on a test of basic Radiology knowledge, the differences were not significant.

Medical students who are exposed to Radiology in their first year of medical school have a better impression of Radiology as a specialty, and express more interest in Radiology as a career. Follow-up surveys will determine whether these early attitudes persist through the clinical years of training and improve the overall impression of Radiology within the medical community.

Branstetter, B, Faix, L, Schumann, J, Humphrey, A, Preclinical Medical Student Training in Radiology: The Effect of Early Exposure.  Radiological Society of North America 2005 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 27 - December 2, 2005 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2005/4412304.html