title: A needs assessment of musculoskeletal fellowship training: a survey of practicing musculoskeletal radiologists.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to conduct a needs assessment of musculo-skeletal radiologists regarding their musculoskeletal training experience and attitude toward a standardized musculoskeletal fellowship curriculum.
  
  
  METHODS
  An anonymous survey was sent to the Society of Skeletal Radiology membership querying musculoskeletal radiologists' practice patterns, fellowship program, curriculum, and modes of learning.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 216 respondents (26% response rate), 87% were musculoskeletal fellowship trained. The majority performed MRI, CT, and radiography (99%); arthrography (95%); spine MRI (77%); pediatric musculoskeletal imaging (75%); musculoskeletal ultrasound (63%); and biopsies (62%). During fellowship, 72% read spine MRI; 74% pediatric musculo-skeletal imaging, and 49% musculoskeletal ultrasound (49%); 33% received no spine procedural training. Most felt comfortable performing arthrography, joint injections, and bone and soft-tissue biopsies but not spine biopsies. Of the total, 33% received a curriculum and 67% had no formal feedback and 56% did not evaluate their program. The highest rated program features were teaching by attending physicians (69%), case variety (54%), and procedural training (49%). The lowest rated features were lack of curriculum (57%), lack of structured learning (48%), and lack of mentoring (24%). The favorite mode of learning was one-on-one readout with attending physicians (90%), and 85% agreed that a standardized musculoskeletal fellowship curriculum would benefit musculoskeletal training.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although musculoskeletal radiologists believe they were adequately trained for practice, there are perceived deficiencies in spine MRI, pediatric musculoskeletal imaging, and musculoskeletal ultrasound. A standardized musculoskeletal fellowship curriculum would provide improved structure and a defined educational program. Clear expectations, performance assessment, feedback, and programmatic evaluation should be core elements of the training of every musculoskeletal fellow.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University of Michigan, 1500 E Medical Center Dr, Ann Arbor, MI, USA. cyablon@umich.edu
authors.forename: Corrie M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Yablon
authors.forename: Jim S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Lori R
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Newman
authors.forename: Brian K
authors.initials: BK
authors.lastname: Downie
authors.forename: Mary G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Hochman
authors.forename: Ronald L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Eisenberg
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003479:Curriculum; D005257:Fellowships and Scholarships; D006801:Humans; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D020380:Needs Assessment; D011871:Radiology / Q000193:education*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires