Radiology residency eCurriculum developed in-house: evaluation of benefits and weaknesses

The purpose of this study was to evaluate residents' use of a radiology curriculum CD-ROM designed to provide ready access to the department's curricula, study materials, and Internet resources.

A survey questionnaire eliciting feedback about the usability and value of the CD-ROM, as well as suggestions for future modifications in its content, was distributed to radiology residents (n = 26) in the authors' training program. Twenty-three (88%) of the residents responded to the survey.

Eighteen (78%) of the 23 respondents reported having used the CD-ROM at least once, and 22 (96%) considered the CD-ROM an asset to the residency program. Fourteen (61%) identified the centralization of important information as the greatest benefit of the CD-ROM. Nonetheless, a majority continued to rely on more traditional methods of obtaining information essential to their work and studies. Twelve (52%) of the 23 residents reported that daily use of the material stored on the CD-ROM would be encouraged by placing it on a departmental intranet, while seven (30%) preferred the addition of dedicated computers and the provision of study space in the department.

The CD-ROM has not been fully integrated into the residency program. The greatest obstacle to its use is the lack of computer resources in the department.