How Well Are Radiology Residents Prepared for Practice After Training? A Survey of French-Speaking Quebec Recent Graduates and Department Chiefs

Abstract

Objective: Radiology residents must fulfill a standardized curriculum to complete residency and pass a certification exam before they are granted a licence to practice. We sought to evaluate how well residency prepares trainees for practice as perceived by recent graduates and their department chiefs. Subjects and Methods: Radiologists who graduated from the 4 Quebec radiology residency programs between 2005 and 2016 (n = 237) and Quebec radiology department chiefs (n = 98) were anonymously surveyed. Two electronic surveys were created, for recent graduates (74 questions) and for department chiefs (11 questions), with multiple-choice questions and open questions covering all fields of radiology. Surveys were administered between April and June 2016 using the Association des radiologistes du Québec database. Results: Response rate was 75 (31.6%) of 237 from recent graduates and 96% rated their training as excellent or good. Satisfaction with training in computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging was high, with musculoskeletal (MSK) imaging, particularly MSK ultrasound (US), as well as pediatric, cardiac, and vascular imaging needing more training. Thirty-nine (39.8%) of 98 department chiefs answered the survey and highlighted weaknesses in the interpretation of conventional radiography, obstetrical US, and invasive procedures, as well as limited leadership and administrative skills. Recent graduates and department chiefs both reported difficulties in the ability to interpret daily volume of examinations as scheduled and invasive procedure competency. Conclusion: This survey highlights areas of the radiology curriculum which may benefit from more emphasis during training. Adjustments in the residency program would ensure graduates are successful both in their certification exams and clinical practice.

Obstetric Ultrasonography in Postgraduate Radiology Training

“…14 Similarly, in a survey conducted in Canada, 28% of the participants found themselves excellent in obstetric US and 15% inadequate. 15 We consider these data to be important in terms of showing that similar problems are also present in other countries. Another interesting finding is that although the specialists stated that they mostly did not take care of patients during their residency training and that their obstetric US rotation times were short, they currently considered themselves competent in this area.…”

“…In a recent study in the literature evaluating the US competencies of resident physicians in the United States, it was reported that 59% of the residents did not feel competent while performing obstetric US, and this rate was the lowest among all other medical fields 14 . Similarly, in a survey conducted in Canada, 28% of the participants found themselves excellent in obstetric US and 15% inadequate 15 . We consider these data to be important in terms of showing that similar problems are also present in other countries.…”

Patient-Friendly Summary of the ACR Appropriateness Criteria: Dementia

“…Allow them opportunities to practice teaching radiology to medical students and junior trainees, both at the view box, with a collection of cases for teaching "on the fly," and in the didactic setting, with a trainee-led lecture series. The largest challenge trainees face when transitioning into practice is handling the volume of studies and reading them independently [1].…”