Imaging the Future: Student Reflections on an Innovative Undergraduate Radiology Course

Radiology plays a critical role in modern healthcare, yet it is often underrepresented in undergraduate education. To address this gap, the University of British Columbia (UBC) introduced RADS 301: exploring imaging in the 21st century, the first undergraduate radiology course of its kind in Canada. This study aims to examine the demographic backgrounds, motivations, and course evaluations of students enrolled in RADS 301.

An anonymous end-of-course survey was administered to students enrolled in RADS 301 during the 2024 academic term. The survey included demographic questions, multiple-choice and Likert-scale items evaluating various aspects of the course, and an open-ended feedback section. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze categorical and ordinal data, while qualitative responses were thematically reviewed.

Out of 187 enrolled students, 178 (95%) completed the survey. Students represented a diverse range of academic disciplines, with just over half (55%) enrolled in Health and Life Science majors and the remainder from a variety of other fields, including humanities, business, and arts. Primary motivations for taking the course included general interest in medical topics (78%) and career exploration in healthcare (52%). Course evaluations demonstrated high satisfaction across all domains, with mean ratings ranging from 4.51 (SD = 0.60) to 4.70 (SD = 0.51) on a five-point scale. The overall course rating was 4.76 (SD=0.45). Qualitative responses emphasized the engaging content, diverse instructors, impact on career clarity, and improvements in health literacy.

RADS 301 is a promising model for early exposure to radiology and interdisciplinary healthcare education at the undergraduate level. The course was well-received by students from a wide array of backgrounds and appears to enhance interest, knowledge, and confidence in radiology. Findings support the expansion of similar undergraduate courses to foster informed career exploration and promote health literacy.