COVID-Necessitated Online Radiology Elective Improves Student Imaging Appropriateness in Clinical Case Vignettes

The use of imaging in medicine has increased considerably over the previous decades, contributing to significant inefficiency of use. Radiology education varies amongst institutions without standardized learning objectives. Consequently, many physicians and student doctors are unprepared to make appropriate choices regarding imaging. In response to COVID-19-engendered restrictions, we created a fully online, image-intensive radiology curriculum to introduce students to clinical radiology and appropriate imaging usage.

A 2-week radiology elective curriculum was created that adopted accessible, free, online-based learning to foster student education and patient safety while upholding academic standards. Each unit included an emphasis on imaging appropriateness. Students assembled an elective portfolio including self-assessments and prepared a clinical radiology conference to present as a radiologist in training. Two final assessments were required. One consisted of clinical vignettes based on American College of Radiology (ACR) Appropriateness Criteria (AC). The second was an MRI safety quiz.

Third and fourth year students at five institutions (N = 97) completed the elective. Examination scores on an assessment adapted from the ACR AC were significantly improved compared to previously published scores of medical students who took ACR AC-based assessments without taking a radiology course. The course was published and shared with medical schools worldwide.

The elective successfully educated students in radiology through a virtual platform and introduced them to the concept of appropriateness in medical imaging. These goals were accomplished using a free, online, easily accessible curriculum. Incorporation of additional topics within the discipline of radiology should be included in the curriculum in the future.