Immediate and long-term effects of a sophomore radiology elective

The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of sophomore electives in radiology on medical students' career choices and later clinical practice as physicians and to assess the need for change in the curriculum.

A survey questionnaire created by the Department of Radiology was sent to graduates of the Chicago Medical School, North Chicago, Ill, who had been offered a series of three sophomore electives in radiology between academic years 1978 and 1998. The survey included five questions concerning the utility of the electives.

Of the 2,883 questionnaires mailed, 31 were undeliverable and 411 (14%) were completed and returned. A total of 347 (84%) of the respondents had enrolled in one or more of the sophomore radiology electives, and 325 of 340 (96%) stated that the instruction received was valuable to their careers. In addition, 54 of 333 respondents (16%) indicated that the radiology electives influenced their choice of specialty, and 322 of 328 (98%) believed that the courses should remain part of the sophomore year elective choices. Within the respondent pool, 40 of 261 (15%) identified themselves as radiologists. Among radiologists and nonradiologists, respectively, 39 of 40 (98%) and 308 of 371 (83%) had enrolled in one or more of the sophomore electives in radiology, 34 of 39 (87%) and 291 of 301 (97%) stated that knowledge gained from the courses proved valuable to their careers, 30 of 39 (77%) and 24 of 303 (8%) were influenced by the electives in their choice of specialty, and 37 of 39 (95%) and 285 of 289 (99%) stated that radiology should continue to be offered during the sophomore year.

Practicing physicians overwhelmingly supported the continuation of the sophomore radiology electives. Some suggested that radiology should be a required course or clinical clerkship.