Diagnostic radiology training for medical students - a Brazilian multicenter survey

ABSTRACT Objective This study aimed to assess diagnostic radiology training and exposure during medical school, from the perspective of medical students in Brazil. Methods In this multicenter study approved by the Institutional Review Board, medical students from multiple universities in Brazil filled out an online questionnaire regarding their perception about diagnostic radiology training during medical school, including knowledge and use of the American College of Radiology Appropriateness Criteria and their confidence level in interpreting common radiological findings. Medical students from different regions of Brazil were sent invitations to participate in the anonymous survey through radiology group emails initiated by radiology professors and a group of ambassadors representing different institutions. Informed consent was obtained electronically at the beginning of the survey. Results The survey demonstrated diagnostic radiology is frequently included in preclinical exams; however, radiology training during medical school was considered inadequate from the medical students´ perspective. Overall, radiological imaging teaching was provided by radiologists for more than half of the survey respondents; however, radiological imaging is frequently shown to students by non-radiologist physicians during case discussion rounds. Moreover, few respondents had a mandatory radiology training rotation during medical school. Conclusion This Brazilian medical student survey demonstrated that from the medical students’ perspective, diagnostic radiology is an important subject in clinical practice; however, their radiology training and exposure are overall heterogeneous.

摘要
研究目的 本研究旨在从巴西医学生的视角，评估其在医学院就读期间接受的诊断放射学（diagnostic radiology）培训与学习接触情况。
研究方法 本项经伦理审查委员会（Institutional Review Board, IRB）批准的多中心研究，面向巴西多所高校的医学生发放线上问卷，以调研其对医学院阶段诊断放射学培训的认知，包括对美国放射学会适宜性标准（American College of Radiology Appropriateness Criteria）的掌握与应用情况，以及解读常见放射学征象的信心水平。研究通过放射学教授及多机构代表大使发起的放射学群组邮件，向巴西不同地区的医学生发出匿名调查邀请。调查开篇以电子形式获取受试者的知情同意（informed consent）。
研究结果 调查显示，诊断放射学常被纳入临床前期考试，但医学生普遍认为医学院阶段的放射学培训存在不足。整体而言，超半数受访者的放射影像学教学由放射科医师开展，但在病例讨论查房中，非放射科医师常向学生展示放射影像学内容。此外，仅少数受访者在医学院阶段参与过必修放射学培训轮转。
研究结论 本项针对巴西医学生的调查显示，从医学生视角来看，诊断放射学是临床实践中的重要学科，但整体而言，他们所接受的放射学培训及学习接触情况存在显著异质性。