A dedicated general competencies curriculum for radiology residents development and implementation

The Accreditation Council on Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) through its Outcome Project requires training programs in all medical specialties to integrate six general competencies into residency training: patient care, medical knowledge, professionalism, interpersonal and communication skills, practice-based learning and improvement, and systems-based practice. In response, a required, or dedicated general competencies rotation for diagnostic radiology residents was instituted.

We describe the development and implementation of this rotation. The rotation augments the core curriculum, with primary emphasis placed on resident-initiated quality improvement (QI) and quality assurance (QA) projects.

Between academic years 2003 and 2009 diagnostic radiology residents completed 38 QI/QA projects and performed clinical float coverage for the department. Residents met requirements of the systems-based practice and practice-based learning competency domains. In this process, residents improved their medical knowledge, interpersonal communication skills, professionalism, and provided patient care.

A dedicated general competencies rotation can be successfully implemented, and complement the requirements of the core curriculum. In combination with coverage for clinical services, the rotation makes a substantive contribution to resident education to further the goal of improved patient care.