Medical student attitudes toward radiology. A multi-institutional survey

A questionnaire was administered to 238 students at four institutions before and after a radiology clerkship to evaluate student attitudes regarding radiology as a career, radiologist expertise, and clerkship expectations. There was no statistically significant difference among the clerkships, although they varied in types of experience, geographic location, and size. After the clerkship, the students agreed more strongly that the radiologist should be involved in patient workup, screening of requests, interpretation of emergency room films, and consultations. A significant change in attitude could be identified after the four-week experience, indicating a desire for the radiologist to have a more active role as imaging consultant.     

Policies and attitudes toward the pregnant radiology resident

To evaluate attitudes and policies toward pregnant radiology residents, a questionnaire was sent to the chiefs of radiology residency programs across the country. A return rate of 76.4% and a response rate of 75.4% were achieved. A large majority of the respondents indicated that schedule changes would be made to avoid excessive exposure of a pregnant resident to radiation. The accommodations they suggest are reviewed, and suggestions are made that would help alleviate some of the stress and conflicts that invariably arise when a resident becomes pregnant.     

On the evaluation of medical students in radiology.

What a medical student has learned in radiology needs to be evaluated, not only to appraise the student's mastery of the subject but to determine the efficiency of teaching methods. A two-phase written/oral test for all students completing the fourth-year elective is described.     

Organ system radiology. Instruction of sophomore medical students

During a six-year period we have evolved a method of teaching organ system radiology to sophomore medical students. This involves didactic and clinical sessions with small group discussions and activities central to the program. The course is designed to present a bridging course between the basic medical sciences and the clinical sciences and to better prepare students for their patient care responsibilities.     

Patients' attitudes toward informed consent for intravenous contrast media.

OBJECTIVES. To assess patient attitudes concerning informed consent and the risks of ionic and nonionic contrast material, 1,197 completed questionnaires were obtained from individuals either awaiting contrast injection or waiting for other services. METHODS. Six different questionnaire formats were administered, including two detailing the specific risks of ionic and nonionic contrast, respectively. Different questionnaire formats were used to assess whether the severity or the probability of adverse consequences had more influence on a patient's desire for information. Two questionnaires evaluated the effect of comparing medical risks to equivalent risks from everyday nonmedical activities. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS. Regardless of questionnaire format and the severity of potential risk, the large majority of individuals want some information before contrast injection, and approximately half view such information as essential. Individuals reacted more to the probability of a potential reaction than its severity, and to items ordered toward the end of a particular questionnaire than at the beginning.