Balancing clinical service and education in the radiology residency

Among the various medical disciplines, the radiology residency faces unique challenges when balancing clinical service and education, which have not been explored in the literature.

The authors present a summary of material generated during collaborative sessions at the 56th Annual Meeting of the Association of University Radiologists in Seattle, Washington, in March 2008, including strategies on maintaining an appropriate emphasis on education in the face of increasing service obligations, with a review of the pertinent literature.

Although the topic of service and education has been explored in the medical and surgical literature, little has been published in the radiology literature. The portability of radiology and the relative lack of patient contact can lead to the redistribution of residents as a matter of convenience to fill service gaps, often at the expense of the educational goals of training programs. Residents and faculty members alike must take part in both service and educational obligations without compromising patient care. Physician extenders, call schedule optimization, and other strategies and resources can help ensure that a proper balance is maintained.

The radiology residency presents unique challenges to the service and education balance. The authors highlight several strategies to address these challenges.