Radiology

Radiology offers an elective rotation, generally four weeks in duration, to provide a supervised educational experience to interested medical students. The elective is a structured and informative educational experience that enables the medical student to acquire a clear and concise overview of the dynamic specialty of radiology, including general radiology, its various subspecialties, and the breadth of radiological modalities and imaging studies. The educational goals of the rotation are for the student to learn:

• Opportunities in the specialty of radiology as possible career choices
• How imaging can help the physician in the diagnosis, management, and treatment of patients

Radiology teaching faculty will direct your education during the radiology elective. The elective may be tailored if the student has a particular interest in a certain area or areas. The student will rotate as an observer through the following areas of the radiology department and gain first-hand experience with an array of sub-specialty modalities and imaging studies:

• ER and genitourinary radiology
• GI radiology
• Pediatric radiology
• Ultrasound
• Neuro CT
• Musculoskeletal MRI
• Body
• Neuro MRI
• Nuclear medicine
• PET imaging
• Interventive radiology
•  Mammography
• Chest imaging

The student is expected to attend all conferences given for the radiology residents. Also, students are invited to attend any additional interdepartmental conferences and other educational sessions (e.g. journal clubs) that occur during the rotation. Students are provided with an introductory text book on radiology for assigned supplemental readings, and all campus and departmental print and digital resources can be accessed to support the student’s clinical learning experience. At the end of the rotation, the student will give a brief case-based presentation to the department.

Goals & objectives

• Learn about the specialty of radiology as a possible career choice
• Learn how imaging can help the clinician in diagnosis, patient management and treatment

Length of rotation generally four weeks

Objectives

• Expose the student to general radiology and the various subspecialties and modalities and imaging studies
• Learn some of the advantages and disadvantages of various imaging studies
• Develop respect for radiation and the importance of radiation protection and safety
• Learn about the ALARA principle
• Understand the importance of a properly filled out request for an imaging study
• Understand the value of giving an appropriate patient history on request for imaging study
• Learn about the contraindications of some imaging studies and for the administration of contrast material
• Learn about the importance of good communication between the clinician and the radiologist