First-year medical students' attitudes toward radiology.

To explore the perspectives of entering medical students, a questionnaire was completed anonymously by 171 students in September of their first year of medical school. The authors investigated their attitudes toward radiology relative to other specialties and their perspective concerning which factors would influence their eventual choice of a specialty. Upon entering medical school, 33.3% of the students indicated that they had chosen a specialty, and 7.4% of these students had selected radiology. Radiology was perceived as a well-paid specialty with a pleasant lifestyle. These are factors that were perceived as very important regarding influence on eventual choice of specialty. However, radiology was believed to have an undesirably low level of patient contact and was perceived as not being intellectually exciting. We plan to follow this group of students prospectively through medical school to see whether their attitudes change toward radiology as a career.     

Medical student attitudes toward inclusion of a research year within diagnostic radiology residency: a survey of students participating in the 2002 NRMP match. National Resident Matching Program

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study was to solicit medical student opinion regarding establishment of a research track within diagnostic radiology residency and to determine the method of implementation most favorable to candidates who self-identified as future researchers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: After the deadline for submitting rank lists (February 21, 2002), a questionnaire was mailed to 588 U.S.-resident medical students who applied to the authors' residency in the 2002 match. Returned questionnaires post-marked before match day (March 21, 2002) were included in the analysis. Students were asked to rate their level of interest in different residency curricula; to indicate whether they were most likely to pursue a position in private practice, clinical academics, or research academics; and to indicate their preferred time of choosing a training track, preferred duration of the residency to dedicate to research, and when they most wished to undertake research. RESULTS: A total of 161 students (27.4%) responded. Overall, students preferred institutions with both clinical and research tracks rather than a single track for all residents, to delay their choice of track for as long as possible, and to do research during postgraduate year 4. Students indicated greatest interest in 3-6 months of research. Among those who self-identified as future academic researchers, interest in a research residency track was greater than among those who indicated the greatest interest in private practice positions. CONCLUSION: Many students are interested in performing research during their radiology residency. Interest in a research track is positively correlated with interest in a research academic career and negatively correlated with interest in private practice.     

Medical student perceptions of diagnostic radiology. Influence of a senior radiology elective

To assess the impact of a four-week elective on medical student perceptions of diagnostic radiology, we gave questionnaires to 96 senior students on the first and last days of the rotation. Eighty-five anonymous entrance responses and 73 exit responses were obtained during a 13-month interval. Compared with other clinical specialties, the students viewed radiology as third, behind surgery and medicine, in terms of required breadth of knowledge, skill, training, and "glamour." Radiology was also perceived to have the lightest workload with the exception of psychiatry. Responses did not significantly change after completion of the elective. Perceived advantages and disadvantages of radiology were studied in detail in a subset of students. Exit responses indicated that the elective promoted favorable perceptions of radiology but did not change the relative rankings of the various specialties. It appears that at our institution basic attitudes concerning radiology are formed prior to the senior radiology elective and are affected only moderately during the elective.     

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.     

Medical student radiology teaching in Australia and New Zealand

This study, involving 19 centres, establishes the status of medical student radiology teaching in Australia and New Zealand. It aims to document the academic and clinical staff profile involved in teaching, to indicate the methods of instructions used, to outline the available radiology library resources for medical students, to list the textbooks used in teaching and to uncover how many radiology departments are involving medical students in research. The findings can be used to plan and execute further actions that will enhance radiology teaching of medical students.     

A survey of soldiers' attitudes to tattooing.

A study was performed at the Garrison Medical Centre, Larkhill to assess the incidence of skin tattoos in a sample of soldiers. The soldiers were questioned with the aim of establishing where they had had their tattoos done, identifying any factors involved in becoming tattooed and assessing what proportion later regretted their actions. The study included 450 male soldiers. Assessment was by a questionnaire completed in the medical centre waiting room. Overall 44% of the soldiers questioned were tattooed. Most (85.7%) had had tattoos done by recognised artists in the United Kingdom. Younger soldiers had a significantly higher incidence of 'home made' tattoos. Peer pressure was identified as an important influence on the decision to become tattooed. 31.1% of tattooed soldiers regretted their tattoos. This figure rose to 44.6% in those over 26 years old. The author advocates increased education to encourage the young soldier to think hard about its implications before becoming tattooed.     

歼击机飞行员颈椎X线表现调查

目的　探讨高 G加速度对飞行员颈椎可能产生的影响及其临床意义。　方法　对一组正常歼击机飞行员的颈椎 X线摄片分析 ,同样对一组正常地面人员的摄片 ,就常见的异常 X线征像结合临床情况进行讨论分析比较。　结果　飞行员组颈椎“切凹征”的出现率较对照组明显增高 ;颈曲变直、反向或侧弯程度都比对照组要显著 ;颈椎椎间隙狭窄情况两组无明显差异。对照组颈椎既往症状发生率显著增高于飞行员组。　结论　加速度负荷可能是加速颈椎退变主要因素之一 ,但 X线所示的颈椎退行性改变并不一定意味着临床症状的出现 ;飞行员常规保持体育运动对颈椎临床症状的预防具有重要的临床意义。     

A survey of Navy physicians' attitudes toward the use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors in active duty military personnel.

A series of recent pharmacological discoveries have produced remarkable advances in psychotherapeutic medications. With the advent of newer antidepressants, there is a high degree of efficacy and a low risk profile. Potential benefits of these medications far outweigh the possible side effects, especially in contrast to older drugs. Navy Medicine now has the ability to treat active duty personnel during a deployment with safe antidepressant medications. The attitudes toward the use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) on active duty service members has been surveyed. Profiles of prescribing patterns and attitudes toward the use of these medications and safety within the context of the operational environment were also surveyed. Group comparisons across various medical specialties and command organizations were made. The survey results suggest a very favorable attitude toward prescribing SSRIs in the active duty population.     

Medical student education in the time of COVID-19: A virtual solution to the introductory radiology elective

Rationale and objectivesDuring the COVID-19 pandemic, medical educators and students are facing unprecedented challenges while navigating the new virtual landscape that social-distancing policies mandate. In response to these challenges, a new virtual introduction to radiology elective was established with unique online resources and curriculum.Materials and methodsA previously in-person 2-week introductory radiology elective was converted into a completely virtual experience using an internally developed, open-source, peer-reviewed, web-based teaching modules combined with virtual lectures, interdisciplinary conferences, and readout sessions of de-identified cases loaded to a DICOM viewer. Students from the first four months of course enrollment completed a multiple choice pre- and post-course knowledge assessments and a 5-point Likert Scale survey as part of their educational experience.ResultsIn total, 26 4th-year medical students participated over 4 separate 2-week sessions from July to October of 2020. This included 12 students from the home intuition and 14 visiting students. On average, students scored 62.2% on the 55-question pre-test and 89.0% on the same test upon completion of the course, a statistically significant increase (p < 0.001). All 26 students felt engaged throughout the course. All 26 agreed (23 “strongly agreed”) that they were more comfortable looking at imaging studies following the course. All 26 also agreed (21 “strongly agreed”) that the course helped them prepare for their future clinical rotations and careers.ConclusionInitial pilot program using unique web-based resources and student encounters during a two-week virtual introductory radiology elective proved to be a positive educational experience for the first 26 students enrolled.