Radiology curriculum for undergraduate medical studies--a consensus survey

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Radiology Training
• Curriculum Development

Background:

• Undergraduate medical education requires effective integration of radiology.
• Current radiology teaching methods lack standardized consensus.
• Optimizing junior doctor understanding of radiology is crucial for patient care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish expert consensus on incorporating radiology teaching into the core undergraduate medical curriculum.
• To define the optimal content, timing, and delivery methods for radiology education.
• To guide the development of a comprehensive radiology curriculum for medical students.

Main Methods:

• A four-round Delphi survey was conducted with radiologists and non-radiologists involved in undergraduate training.
• Participants provided iterative feedback on proposed curriculum components.
• The survey addressed how, where, when, and by whom radiology should be taught.

Main Results:

• Consensus was reached on teaching radiology alongside anatomy and clinical cases, ideally using Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS) workstations.
• Competent and credentialed individuals should deliver the teaching.
• Case-based assessment was the preferred evaluation method, with curriculum including indications, safety, and interpretation of common radiological tests.

Conclusions:

• The established consensus provides principles for a more comprehensive radiology curriculum.
• Emphasis is placed on the knowledge required for junior doctors to effectively utilize radiology departments.
• Improved radiology education for junior doctors can enhance patient experiences and care.