Zachary Edward Ballenger MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

1) The participants will understand some of the challenges faced by resident leaders. 2) The participants will learn strategies to improve leadership within the residency using examples of programs utilized at Indiana University Radiology. 3) The participants will comprehend the values inherent in resident leadership, both for improving the residency and for providing a well-rounded educational experience for the residents.

A radiology residency can have a complicated heirarchy, with many overlapping levels of authority within the administration, the faculty and the residents. Residents often view themselves at the very bottom of this heirarchy, and they may feel that in such a position their ability to act as leaders is minimal. Additionally, they may feel that their input and feedback is not valuable. This perspective is unfortunately common, and it is inaccurate.  The truth is that residents, as the primary "consumers" of radiology residency education, are the most in-tune with the daily goings-on of the residency and are in the very best position to offer fair assessment and suggestions for improvement. For this reason, leadership in residency is critical for the development and continuity of any elite radiology residency program. Additionally, leadership experience is an important component of the training of all physicians.  Resident leaders are in the unique position to provide important feedback and suggestions to their superiors on many issues important to departments, ranging from educational experiences to patient care. However, traditional heirarchical limitations, significantly limit this very important component of a residency. Additionally, residents face other obstacles with regard to taking leadership roles, including insufficient time to create and initiate change, and often a lack of authority to alter the residency in any meaningful way. As stated in the objectives for this presentation, the participants will learn about the value of resident leadership, the potential barriers inherent in resident leadership, and ways to overcome the barriers and encourage this important part of a radiology residency. Examples of past success from Indiana University Radiology will be described in detail, along with examples of initiatives that were not very successful. 

Ballenger, Z, Leadership: The Resident's Point of View.  Radiological Society of North America 2014 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, - ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2014/14000638.html