Resident conference at the viewbox: an experimental approach

Area of Science:

• Radiology Education
• Medical Training
• Resident Conferences

Background:

• Traditional radiology resident conferences, often termed "hot-seat" conferences, may present limitations in case visibility and resident engagement.
• There is a need for innovative educational formats to enhance resident learning and reduce presentation anxiety.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate a novel radiology resident conference format.
• Objectives included increasing case volume, enhancing case visibility, boosting resident participation, and reducing presentation-related anxiety.
• The study also aimed to provide residents with feedback on their oral presentation skills.

Main Methods:

• Sixteen radiology residents were organized into eight teams, each receiving identical packets of eight chest radiograph cases.
• Teams had 16 minutes to review cases before presenting them to the group, ensuring all residents participated in oral presentations.
• A moderator provided case discussions and diagnoses, and residents provided anonymous peer evaluations of the format and traditional conferences.

Main Results:

• Residents reported subjective improvements with the experimental conference format compared to traditional conferences.
• The new format demonstrated statistically significant enhancements in specific areas (P < .05).

Conclusions:

• The experimental conference format is a viable and effective alternative to traditional "hot-seat" conferences.
• This innovative approach addresses key areas for improvement in radiology resident education.