Gretchen Elizabeth Green MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Howard Paul Forman MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

118 diagnostic radiology residents completed surveys to assess their residency training experience in several diagnostic modalities: cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), positron emission tomography (PET), obstetrical ultrasound (OB US), carotid Doppler US, and barium esophagram.

73 residents who attended the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology (AFIP) radiology course and 45 residents who attended the Association of University Radiologists (AUR) conference completed surveys. Surveys assessed residents’ year of residency training, hospital size, program affiliation with an academic institution, state, performance of the above listed examinations, number of exams performed per week, and number of weeks spent on rotations for each modality. T-test and Chi square tests were performed and results analyzed for statistical significance.

Most (94, 79.7%) respondents were third-year residents. 101 (86%) stated their program was affiliated with an academic institution. 92 (78%) of residents perform cardiac MRI, 104 (88%) perform PET, 84 (71%) perform OB, 71 (60%) perform carotid Doppler US (1 did not respond), and all perform esophagrams (though 1 did not respond). Performance of cardiac MRI and PET correlated positively with a higher average hospital size (p<.01). There was no statistically significant difference for other modalities. The percentage of residents from an academic program who perform cardiac MRI (89%) was significantly higher than those with academic affiliation who did not perform cardiac MRI (73%, p<.05). Geographical region affected likelihood of performance of cardiac MRI: 21/33 (64%) residents from the Northeast perform cardiac MRI, compared to 71/85 (84%) of residents from outside the Northeast. 25/33 (59%) residents from the Northeast perform OB US, compared to 59/85 (69%) non-Northeast residents.

Factors such as hospital size, academic institution affiliation, and geography affect radiology resident training, particularly for maturing applications such as cardiac MRI and PET. In order to maintain consistency across programs, leadership may wish to explore options to facilitate standardization of resident training experiences.

Green, G, Forman, H, Residency Training as Technology Matures: All Programs Are Created Equal, But Are Some More Equal Than Others?.  Radiological Society of North America 2005 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 27 - December 2, 2005 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2005/4413152.html