Core Clerkship Curriculum - Week by Week Goals/Objectives

In addition to the HMS overall clerkship objectives, we also offer the following week by week guide. You may find this information helpful to use as a study guide of sorts as well as an indicator of the expected development and progression of your radiologic knowledge and skills. You should plan to complete 12 assigned Aquifer med-U modules within the first two weeks of the clerkship, before the midterm and case review. The remaining 7 modules should be completed before the final exam. Herring’s Learning Radiology textbook is also supplied and can be used as a supplementary study resource.

Week 1

This week is heavy in structured didactics (Radlabs 1-6), which lays the groundwork for the following 3 weeks. Take advantage of this time to develop and polish your general radiology knowledge base so that you may take full advantage of the less structured learning opportunities presented throughout the rest of the rotation. Much of what you will be tested on later is presented to you during the first week. During the course of Week 1, you will work to develop your ability to:

1. Recognize the type of study, the plane of section, and the use (or absence) of contrast.
2. Recognize (and relearn) radiologic anatomy (build upon knowledge acquired during year 1).
3. Recognize basic tissue densities on plain film and CT.
4. Begin to recognize alterations of normal anatomy.
5. Associate types of exams with specific pathology (appropriate exam selection).
6. Identify pathology when presented with selected images from a complete exam.
7. Realize that one example of pathology is not representative of all patients with the same pathology (the radiologic presentation of a single disease entity will frequently vary from patient to patient).
8. Recognize differences among imaging modalities and what each can depict or display.
9. Become familiar with PACS imaging display systems (Visage web, EPIC and PACS workstation).
10. Create written radiology reports for two unknown chest cases based on first PACS assignment (PACS1). During class time, you will be expected to present these two cases. This entails giving a brief clinical history, finding relevant images on PACS, using PACS display tools appropriately (window, level, magnification, ROI, and displaying comparison studies), using correct terminology particularly as it relates to anatomic descriptions, and relating pathophysiologic processes to the imaging findings.

Week 2

This week marks the beginning of the observation experiences. You will also be evaluated on the Case Review assessment and a midterm exam. Midcourse feedback will be given. Expectations for this week are that you will continue to develop your ability to:

1. Present cases radiologically, using correct terminology particularly as it relates to anatomic descriptions, and relating pathophysiologic processes to the imaging findings.
2. Become familiar with core diagnoses in the observation areas visited (relating cases observed to the PCE log).
3. Begin entering cases into the Requirement Checklist, based on material observed during RadLabs, observations, and tutorials.
4. Case Review: given in week 2 near the midpoint of the course, this mini-OSCE will consist of 5 unknown cases presented in the form of a brief clinical scenario, and you will be asked to identify the most appropriate imaging study or studies for the given scenario, to comment on and interpret the radiologic findings and to answer questions about the radiologic techniques and differential diagnoses.
5. Midterm exam: an on-line multiple choice exam created by AMSER (Association of Medical Student Educators in Radiology). Your performance on this exam is not a part of your final assessment for the course but will be helpful to guide further study.

Week 3

You will complete your second PACS session (PACS2), interpreting and writing reports for two CT examinations of the abdomen and pelvis this week. You are expected to continue developing your skills from Weeks 1 and 2 as well as:

1. Become familiar with core diagnoses in the observation areas visited, as above, and continue to relate the cases you observe to your Requirement Checklist.
2. Incorporate information learned from the subspecialty tutorials into your observations.
3. Examine classic radiologic diagnoses and develop your presentation and self-testing skills via the Tasting Menus in chest and abdomen.
4. Create radiology reports for two unknown abdominal CT cases based on the PACS 2 assignment. During class time, you will be expected to present these two cases, giving a brief clinical history, finding relevant images on PACS, using PACS display tools appropriately (window, level, magnification, ROI, and displaying comparison studies), using correct terminology particularly as it relates to anatomic descriptions, and relating pathophysiologic processes to the imaging findings.
5. Begin to study practice tests, found online and on the schedule.

Week 4

During Week 4, you will give your Oral PowerPoint presentation and morning report, and you will take your final examination on the last day of the clerkship. This week will also consist of more subspecialty tutorials, observation areas, and a wrap-up session reviewing radiologic diagnosis of the chest and abdomen. You are expected to:

1. Continue to develop your (by now maturing) skills in radiologic diagnosis in preparation for the chest and abdomen jeopardy session. Be able to recognize pathology when presented with selected images from a complete exam.
2. Continue to familiarize yourself with core diagnoses related to your Requirement Checklist.
3. Complete your review of the required text and online resources, including all practice tests, in preparation for the final exam.
4. Complete your Requirement Checklist and all surveys.
5. Teach using the case presentation format to reinforce an important concept in radiology (AM report).
6. Final exam: an on-line multiple choice exam created by AMSER, supplemented by a student created multiple choice exam based on case presentations.