A Nationwide Survey of the Musculoskeletal Radiology Curricula Across U.S. Diagnostic Radiology Programs

To characterize musculoskeletal (MSK) radiology curricula in U.S diagnostic radiology residency programs.

A 20-question survey was distributed to members of the Society of Skeletal Radiology and the Society for Academic Bone Radiology. Of 66 responses, 48 unique U.S. residency programs were analyzed after exclusion of foreign, unidentifiable, incomplete, and duplicate responses. Programs were categorized by size: small ≤7 (n = 21) and large >7 (n = 27) residents/year); and Doximity ranking: 1-50 (n = 22) and 51+ (n = 26).

Median and mean weeks of MSK training were 12.0 and 11.7 weeks, respectively, with a median of 4 weeks annually during R1-R3 years. Most programs offered MSK electives (96%), mini-fellowships (73%), and internal MSK fellowships (71%). Pediatric MSK training was available in 52%, and ultrasound-specific MSK rotations in 17%. Overall, 67% of programs reported residents being pulled from MSK to cover other rotations while 31% (15/48) of programs reported pulling residents from other rotations to cover MSK (P < .001). Large programs (>7 residents) more frequently offered internal fellowships (P = .002) and mini-fellowships (P =.02). Pulling residents from MSK was more common in larger programs (78% vs. 52%, P = .06). Programs ranked 1-50 on Doximity more often offered internal MSK fellowships (P < .001).

MSK training duration is similar across programs regardless of size or ranking. However, differences exist in fellowship availability and rotation coverage practices. Overall, this study can serve as a framework for future discussions on optimizing and standardizing MSK training curricula.