title: Implementation of a Longitudinal Introduction to Radiology Course During Internship Year Improves Diagnostic Radiology Residents' Academic and Clinical Skills: A Canadian Experience.
abstract: In order to ease the transition from internship to diagnostic radiology residency, a year-long didactic introduction to radiology course was offered to post-graduate year one (PGY-1) diagnostic radiology residents during their internship, which consisted of 27 hours of lecture over 9 months. The purpose of this study was to determine the quantitative and qualitative educational value of this course and its effect with respect to on-call preparedness.
  
  
  
  Two consecutive cohorts of Diagnostic Radiology residents were included: the first cohort (PGY-1s in 2011-2012) did not participate in the new course (Old Curriculum Residents) and the second cohort (PGY-1s in 2012-2013) completed the new course (New Curriculum Residents). These two cohorts were compared both qualitatively and quantitatively. Scores were compared from the standardized Canadian National Pre-Call Observed Standardized Clinical Examination and American College of Radiology Diagnostic Radiology In-Training examination, which are taken in the PGY-2 year, at months 5 and 7, respectively. In addition, staff observation of on-call resident performance and resident self-reported preparedness were considered. Cohorts were compared using Mann-Whitney U test with significance defined as P value <0.05. P values from 0.05 to 0.10 were noted as possibly significant and further analyzed using a Cohen d test where the difference was determined to be small (0.2), medium (0.5), or large (0.8).
  
  
  
  New Curriculum Residents reported that the content of the PGY1 curriculum was more appropriate than the old curriculum to prepare them for call in PGY2 (P = 0.013). New Curriculum Residents scored better than the Old Curriculum Residents on the Diagnostic Radiology In-Training examination (P = 0.039) and on the emergency cases of the Canadian National Pre-Call Observed Standardized Clinical Examination (P = 0.035). Staff radiologists, who were not blinded, reported that the New Curriculum Residents were better prepared for daytime (P = 0.006) and overnight (P = 0.008) independent call were better prepared to perform common ultrasound examinations alone (P = 0.049), and required less guidance while on call for nine competency areas. There was, however, no statistical difference between the residents' self-reported preparedness for independent call.
  
  
  
  Participation in a lecture-based introductory radiology curriculum during the PGY-1 internship year improved both radiology residents' preparedness for call and their performance in PGY-2.
authors.affiliation: University of British Columbia, 3350-950 West 10th Avenue, Vancouver, British Columbia V5Z 1M9, Canada; Department of Radiology, University of British Columbia, 3350-950 West 10th Avenue, Vancouver, British Columbia V5Z 1M9, Canada. Electronic address: darraske@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Kathryn E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Darras
authors.affiliation: University of British Columbia, 3350-950 West 10th Avenue, Vancouver, British Columbia V5Z 1M9, Canada; Evaluation Studies Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Diamond Healthcare Centre, Vancouver, British Columbia V5Z 1M9, Canada.
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Worthington
authors.affiliation: University of British Columbia, 3350-950 West 10th Avenue, Vancouver, British Columbia V5Z 1M9, Canada.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Russell
authors.affiliation: University of British Columbia, 3350-950 West 10th Avenue, Vancouver, British Columbia V5Z 1M9, Canada; Department of Radiology, Richmond Hospital, Richmond, British Columbia V6X 1A2, Canada.
authors.forename: Daniel J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Hou
authors.affiliation: University of British Columbia, 3350-950 West 10th Avenue, Vancouver, British Columbia V5Z 1M9, Canada; Department of Radiology, Vancouver General Hospital, Vancouver, British Columbia V5Z 1M9, Canada.
authors.forename: Bruce B
authors.initials: BB
authors.lastname: Forster
authors.affiliation: University of British Columbia, 3350-950 West 10th Avenue, Vancouver, British Columbia V5Z 1M9, Canada; Department of Radiology, St. Paul's Hospital, Vancouver, British Columbia V6Z 1Y6, Canada.
authors.forename: Cameron J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Hague
authors.affiliation: University of British Columbia, 3350-950 West 10th Avenue, Vancouver, British Columbia V5Z 1M9, Canada; Department of Radiology, BC Cancer Agency, Vancouver, British Columbia V5Z 4E6, Canada.
authors.forename: Colin
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mar
authors.affiliation: University of British Columbia, 3350-950 West 10th Avenue, Vancouver, British Columbia V5Z 1M9, Canada; Vancouver General Hospital, Vancouver, British Columbia V5Z 1M9, Canada.
authors.forename: Silvia D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Chang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002170:Canada; D002983:Clinical Competence; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003479:Curriculum; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency; D008297:Male; D011871:Radiology / Q000193:education*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Resident education; basic clinical year; internship; on-call