Web-based modules will improve radiology resident education
Instead of flipping through a textbook, radiology residents will soon use computers to learn about the physics of radiology. Four Web-based instructional modules are being developed by medical physicists and radiologists at the Medical College of Georgia. The project is funded by the Radiological Society of North America and the American Association of Physicists in Medicine.
(Media-Newswire.com) - Instead of flipping through a textbook, radiology residents will soon use computers to learn about the physics of radiology.
Four Web-based instructional modules are being developed by medical physicists and radiologists at the Medical College of Georgia. The project is funded by the Radiological Society of North America and the American Association of Physicists in Medicine.
"Many radiology residents learn medical physics by reading textbooks on their own or taking a one-week review course before their board exams," says Dr. James V. Rawson, Warren Professor and chair of the Department of Diagnostic, Therapeutic and Interventional Radiology in the School of Medicine. "These modules are an innovation in resident instruction for a generation of learners more comfortable using computers."
The modules include the physics of magnetic resonance and X-ray imaging. Each will be 45 minutes long, interactive and designed so residents can work independently, says Dr. Jerry Allison, medical physicist. "We've been asked to be very creative in how we design them, even to the extent of incorporating games." Each will include an example of clinical relevance, prerequisites, objectives, an outline, questions and a post-test. They will supplement lectures and PowerPoint presentations.
Learning the principles and physics essential to the technology helps radiologists fully master the technology to diagnose disease," says Dr. Allison, a principal author of the modules. "That's important because it allows them to change a procedure to reduce or change an artifact; for example, if a pregnant woman comes for an X-ray, radiologists need to know how to tailor the X-ray procedure to minimize the radiation dosage for the fetus as well as the mother."
They also will better prepare residents for the physics portion of their board exams required for licensure, which they take in the second year of training, says Dr. Fabiola Weber, second-year radiology resident.
"The board exam questions aren't as straightforward anymore," Dr. Weber explains. "It's more clinically focused, and these modules will be interactive and help residents adjust to the new way board exams are given."
Thirty-two modules are being developed during the next 12 months at institutions in North America and Europe. Each module will be developed by physicists and radiologists working together.
"We're encouraged to involve radiology residents in the development of the modules," says Dr. Allison. "It will benefit them from the standpoint that, in helping us develop the module, they'll learn some of the content early on."
Other module authors include Dr. Nathan Yanasak, magnetic resonance scientist; Dr. Tom Hu, biochemist and biophysicist; and George David, medical physicist.
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