Radiology Interest Groups: A Recipe for Success

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Radiology Training
• Student Engagement

Background:

• Radiology Interest Groups (RIGs) are crucial for medical students and the radiology field.
• Optimizing RIGs can enhance student involvement in radiology.

Purpose of the Study:

• Identify key components of successful RIGs.
• Discuss strategies to optimize resources for increased student engagement in radiology.

Main Methods:

• Anonymous feedback from 478 preclinical medical students across 20 RIG events (Sept 2016-May 2019).
• Utilized a five-point Likert scale for event effectiveness and thematic analysis for freeform comments.

Main Results:

• 75-78% of students reported positive experiences and relevance of RIG events.
• 31-42% felt RIGs increased interest in radiology and influenced career choices.
• Identified themes: engagement, professional development, mentorship, and suggestions for improvement.

Conclusions:

• Interactive events, professional development, and mentorship are valued by students in RIGs.
• Successful RIGs require careful planning, innovative events, and consistent debriefing.
• This RIG model promotes radiology's future and serves as a practical example for similar organizations.