David Kho MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Charles S. Resnik MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Eliot L. Siegel MD, Abstract Co-Author: Research grant, General Electric Company Speakers Bureau, Siemens AG Board of Directors, Carestream Health, Inc Research grant, XYBIX Systems, Inc Research grant, Steelcase, Inc Research grant, Anthro Corp Research grant, RedRick Technologies Inc Research grant, Evolved Technologies Corporation Research grant, Barco nv Research grant, Intel Corporation Research grant, Dell Inc Research grant, Herman Miller, Inc Research grant, Virtual Radiology Research grant, Anatomical Travelogue, Inc Medical Advisory Board, Fovia, Inc Medical Advisory Board, Vital Images Medical Advisory Board, McKesson Corporation Medical Advisory Board, Carestream Health, Inc Medical Advisory Board, Bayer AG Research, TeraRecon, Inc Medical Advisory Board, Bracco Group Researcher, Bracco Group Medical Advisory Board, Merge Healthcare Incorporated Medical Advisory Board, Microsoft Corporation Researcher, Microsoft Corporation

Dana R. Jackson MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Radiology residents are traditionally educated through lectures, self-directed reading, and hands-on learning. Online interactive educational resources may provide additional avenues to facilitate learning but have not yet been adequately evaluated. This pilot study is designed to determine whether an online atlas can enhance resident learning of the anatomy of joints as depicted by cross-sectional MR imaging.

This IRB-approved study included 10 subjects who were all first- or second- year radiology residents. A pre-intervention quiz included MR images of 5 different joints. Residents were asked to identify 5 anatomic structures in each, with no post-test access to the images or results. Half of the participants then received online access to e-Anatomy (IMAIOS SAS; Montpellier, France), a commercial Web-based anatomy atlas. No specific usage instruction was given. The identical quiz was repeated 2 weeks after initial access.

Before receiving access to the online atlas, both groups performed similarly (average quiz scores of 8.6 and 9.6 for the intervention and control groups, respectively). After receiving access, the intervention group posted significantly improved scores, whereas scores for the control group remained virtually unchanged (average scores of 13 and 9.2 for the intervention and control groups, with corresponding p-values < 0.01 and = 0.47, respectively). On average, residents who had access to the online atlas posted a 51% improvement whereas those without access had essentially no change (1.9% difference). The authors are expanding participation to validate these results and to perform detailed analysis of atlas usage patterns.

This pilot study suggests that convenient access to an online anatomy atlas significantly increases resident learning and knowledge of musculoskeletal anatomy depicted by MR imaging. Theoretical advantages include the opportunity for just-in-time learning alongside daily readout and increased resource availability because the online atlas can be accessed through a myriad of mobile devices. These factors will be explored in an extended study.

Online anatomy learning resources have the potential to substantially enhance radiology resident education, given proliferating Web-capable portable devices such as iPads, smartphones, and netbooks.

Kho, D, Resnik, C, Siegel, E, Jackson, D, Effect of an Online Atlas on Resident Learning of Musculoskeletal MRI Anatomy.  Radiological Society of North America 2011 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 26 - December 2, 2011 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2011/11034253.html