CTRead-A Revolutionary Approach to Training Residents in Computed Tomography Facial Bone Interpretation

Area of Science:

• Medical Imaging and Diagnostics
• Radiology Education
• Emergency Medicine Training

Background:

• Interpreting computed tomography (CT) facial bone scans is crucial for diagnosing facial fractures.
• Current training methods may not adequately prepare residents for accurate fracture identification.
• A standardized, accessible training approach is needed to improve resident competency.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate an online, web-based training module (CTRead) for interpreting CT facial bone scans.
• To enhance residents' ability to systematically locate and identify facial fractures.
• To test the hypothesis that the CTRead module improves resident competency in CT facial bone scan interpretation.

Main Methods:

• A prospective quasi-experimental trial was conducted with medical and dental residents.
• Participants completed pre- and post-training assessments to measure fracture identification accuracy.
• Secondary outcomes included participant feedback, subjective evaluation of the module, and self-reported confidence levels.

Main Results:

• The frequency of missed fractures decreased significantly from 20.7% to 6.4% (P < .001).
• Overall test scores improved from 32.7% to 74.7% (P < .001).
• Participants reported increased confidence and positive feedback regarding the training module.

Conclusions:

• The CTRead online training module effectively improves residents' competency in interpreting CT facial bone scans.
• The module leads to more accurate identification of facial fractures.
• Web-based training offers a valuable tool for enhancing radiology resident education.