Effectiveness of resident-prepared conferences in teaching imaging utilization guidelines to radiology residents.
OBJECTIVE
The authors evaluated the effectiveness of a resident-prepared conference series for teaching imaging utilization guidelines to radiology residents.


METHODS
Brown University radiology residents (n = 17) gave 61 presentations on imaging utilization to their colleagues during 16 1-hour conferences. The residents were later examined on the topics presented and surveyed about their familiarity with the American College of Radiology appropriateness criteria, their exposure to issues of cost-effectiveness, and their degree of confidence in providing imaging consultation. The same examination and survey were administered to control residents from the University of Wisconsin (n = 14) and the Oregon Health Sciences University (n = 14). Scores were compared by using linear regression and Wilcoxon rank sum tests.


RESULTS
Controlling for years in radiology residency, residents at Brown scored on average 16.0% (standard error = 2.2%) higher than residents at the other universities (P < .001). Controlling for institution, 3rd- and 4th-year residents scored on average 7.4% (standard error = 2.1%) higher than 1st- and 2nd-year residents (P = .001). Brown residents expressed more familiarity with American College of Radiology appropriateness criteria and appeared to have more exposure to cost-effectiveness issues in conferences than residents at Wisconsin or Oregon Health Sciences University (P < .005). Residents from the three universities did not differ in their level of confidence in providing imaging consultation.


CONCLUSIONS
Resident-prepared conferences are an effective means of teaching imaging utilization guidelines to residents, but they do not affect the residents' perception of their ability to provide imaging consultation.
Mainiero
M B
MB
Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Brown University School of Medicine, Rhode Island Hospital, Providence 02903, USA.
Collins
J
J
Primack
S L
SL
D003952:Diagnostic Imaging / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency; D011871:Radiology / Q000193:education*