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所接受的诊断放射学（diagnostic radiology）培训及相关接触情况。
方法：本研究为多中心研究，已通过机构审查委员会（Institutional Review Board）批准。巴西多所高校的医学生需填写一份在线问卷，内容涉及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）的了解与应用情况，以及解读常见放射学表现的自信心水平。研究人员通过放射学教授发起的放射学群组邮件，以及代表不同院校的大使团队，向巴西各地区的医学生发出匿名调查参与邀请。调查开始前，已通过电子方式获取受试者的知情同意。
结果：本次调查显示，诊断放射学常被纳入临床前期考试；但从医学生的视角来看，医学院阶段的放射学培训被认为不够完善。总体而言，超过半数的受访者表示其放射影像学教学由放射科医师开展，但在病例讨论环节中，非放射科医师也常为学生展示放射影像学资料。此外，仅有少数受访者在医学院阶段接受过强制性的放射学培训轮转。
结论：本次针对巴西医学生的调查结果表明，尽管医学生认为诊断放射学是临床实践中的重要学科，但他们所接受的放射学培训及实践接触情况整体存在较大异质性。