Radiology in Medical Education: A Pediatric Radiology Elective as a Template for Other Radiology Courses.
OBJECTIVE
Traditionally, the pediatric radiology elective for medical students and pediatric residents constituted a morning teaching session focused mainly on radiography and fluoroscopy. A more structured elective was desired to broaden the exposure to more imaging modalities, create a more uniform educational experience, and include assessment tools.


METHODS
In 2012, an introductory e-mail and formal syllabus, including required reading assignments, were sent to participants before the start date. A rotating weekly schedule was expanded to include cross-sectional imaging (ultrasound, CT, MR) and nuclear medicine. The schedule could accommodate specific goals of the pediatric resident or medical student, as requested. Starting in 2013, an online pre-test and post-test were developed, as well as an online end-of-rotation survey specific to the pediatric radiology elective. Taking the Image Gently pledge was required. A scavenger hunt tool, cue cards, and electronic modules were added.


RESULTS
Pre-test and post-test scores, averaged over 2 years, showed improvement in radiology knowledge, with scores increasing by 27% for medical students and 21% for pediatric residents. Surveys at the end of the elective were overwhelmingly positive, with constructive criticism and complimentary comments.


CONCLUSIONS
We have successfully created an elective experience in radiology that dedicates time to education while preserving the workflow of radiologists. We have developed tools to provide a customized experience with many self-directed learning opportunities. Our tools and techniques are easily translatable to a general or adult radiology elective.
Division of Pediatric Radiology, Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee; Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Monroe Carrell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt, Nashville, Tennessee. Electronic address: m.hilmes@vanderbilt.edu.
Melissa A
MA
Hilmes
Division of Pediatric Radiology, Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee.
Eddie
E
Hyatt
Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Monroe Carrell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt, Nashville, Tennessee.
Cody H
CH
Penrod
Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Monroe Carrell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt, Nashville, Tennessee.
Amy E
AE
Fleming
Division of Pediatric Radiology, Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee; Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Monroe Carrell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt, Nashville, Tennessee.
Sudha P
SP
Singh
D003479:Curriculum; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging; D004501:Education, Medical / Q000458:organization & administration*; D004521:Educational Measurement / Q000379:methods; D017145:Models, Educational; D017146:Models, Organizational; D011871:Radiology / Q000193:education*; D013663:Teaching / Q000458:organization & administration*; D013714:Tennessee
Medical education; radiology education; residency education