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Published on: June 2, 2015
How to train radiology residents to diagnose pulmonary embolism using a dedicated MRI protocol
Anna Nordgren Rogberg1,2, Sven Nyrén2,3, Eli Westerlund4,5
1Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
Background:
In recent years, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been suggested as an alternative to computed tomography angiography (CTA) to diagnose pulmonary embolism (PE). In previous studies, only senior radiologists have been evaluated as reviewers.
Purpose:
To investigate if radiology residents can be trained to review MRI regarding PE and to determine the learning curve effects.
Material And Methods:
Four residents independently went through a training program consisting of 70 participants that had undergone steady-state free precession MRI. The individuals were randomized into ten training sessions. For each exam, the review time and presence or absence of embolus was recorded. After completing each session, the residents received feedback on diagnostic accuracy compared to a consensus reading by two specialists. The residents were also presented with the corresponding CTA.
Results:
The review time was nearly halved (P = 0.0002) during the training program. Comparing the first three sessions with the last three sessions for all residents, the review time decreased from 5:22 min to 2:51 min. The inter-reader agreement improved for all residents during the training program reaching a clinically acceptable level after seven sessions.
Conclusion:
Our study suggests that radiology residents can be trained to independently review MRI investigations regarding PE within a short training program. Similar training programs could be more extensively used as effective teaching method for residents.
Insights
Radiology residents can be trained to interpret magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for pulmonary embolism (PE) diagnosis. A structured training program significantly reduced review times and improved accuracy, demonstrating its effectiveness for residents.
Area of Science:
- Radiology
- Medical Imaging
- Cardiovascular Imaging
Background:
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a potential alternative to computed tomography angiography (CTA) for diagnosing pulmonary embolism (PE).
- Previous research focused on senior radiologists, leaving the training of residents for MRI interpretation in PE underexplored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the efficacy of a training program in enabling radiology residents to independently interpret MRI for PE.
- To evaluate the learning curve associated with resident training in MRI for PE diagnosis.
Main Methods:
- Four radiology residents underwent a 10-session training program using steady-state free precession MRI scans from 70 participants.
- Review times and embolus presence were recorded, with residents receiving feedback on diagnostic accuracy against specialist consensus and CTA comparison.
Main Results:
- Resident review time for MRI in PE diagnosis was significantly reduced by nearly half during the training program (P = 0.0002).
- Average review time decreased from 5:22 min to 2:51 min between the first and last three training sessions.
- Inter-reader agreement among residents improved substantially, reaching clinically acceptable levels after seven sessions.
Conclusions:
- Radiology residents can acquire the skills to independently interpret MRI for PE within a concise training program.
- The findings support the broader implementation of such training programs as an effective educational tool for residents in diagnosing PE with MRI.
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