Rationale and Objectives
Comprehensive training in cardiac imaging during radiology residency is imperative if radiologists are to maintain a significant role in this rapidly growing field. In this study, radiology chief residents were surveyed to assess the current status of cardiac imaging training in radiology residency programs. The responses to this survey may be helpful in understanding current trends in cardiac imaging training and how such training can be improved in the future.
Materials and Methods
Chief residents at accredited radiology residency programs were sent an e-mail with a link to a 17-question Web-based survey. The survey assessed the organization of cardiac imaging training in each residency program, imaging modalities incorporated into cardiac imaging training, the role of residents on cardiac imaging rotations, and attitudes of residents about their cardiac imaging training and the future of cardiac imaging.
Results
Responses were obtained from 52 of 112 (46%) programs. Seventy-one percent had at least one dedicated cardiac imaging rotation during their residencies. Fifty-two percent and 62% of respondents reported <5 hours of cardiac imaging–related case conferences and didactic lectures per year, respectively. Most had cardiac computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging incorporated into their cardiac imaging training. Although 92% felt that cardiac imaging training is important, only 17% felt that they currently received adequate training in cardiac imaging.
Conclusions
The majority of residency programs represented in this survey had at least one dedicated cardiac imaging rotation for their residents. Most of these programs had few cardiac imaging–related conferences and lectures per year. Although most chief residents believed that cardiac imaging training is important, only a minority felt that they currently received adequate training in cardiac imaging.
Technologic advances in cardiac imaging, including cardiac computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), have expanded the role of radiologists in interpreting noninvasive imaging of the heart and coronary arteries . A recent report showed that cardiac imaging currently accounts for approximately 30% of all Medicare-related noninvasive diagnostic imaging and that the use of cardiac imaging is growing faster than that of any other type of noninvasive imaging .
Comprehensive training in cardiac imaging during radiology residency is imperative if radiologists are to maintain a significant role in this rapidly growing field. Levin et al recognized this in their discussion of cardiac imaging “turf wars.” Proposals for advanced cardiovascular imaging training in cardiology fellowship programs amplify the need to vigorously train radiologists in cardiac imaging . Until recently, radiology training in cardiac imaging has been restricted to plain-film radiography, fluoroscopy, and nuclear cardiology. However, many radiology residency programs are now establishing dedicated cardiac imaging rotations to ensure that their trainees develop strong foundations in this field, including training in cardiac CT and MRI .
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Materials and methods
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Results
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Table 1
Postgraduate Years of Respondents
Postgraduate Year Respondents ( n = 52) 3 12% (6) 4 29% (15) 5 60% (31)
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Cardiac Imaging Rotations
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Table 2
Number of Cases Interpreted per Day on Cardiac Imaging Rotations
Number of Cases Respondents ( n = 52) ≤3 71% (37) 4–8 21% (11) 9–12 6% (3) >12 2% (1)
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Imaging Modalities
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Table 3
Imaging Modalities Incorporated Into Cardiac Imaging Training
Modality Respondents ( n = 52) Radiography 60% (31) Cardiac nuclear imaging 90% (47) Echocardiography 4% (2) Cardiac computed tomography 69% (36) Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging 81% (42)
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Cardiac Imaging Case Conferences and Didactic Lectures
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Table 4
Cardiac Imaging Case Conferences and Didactic Lectures
Survey Item Respondents ( n = 52) Case conferences (h) ≤5 52% (27) 6–10 27% (14) 11–15 12% (6) >15 10% (5) Didactic lectures (h) ≤5 62% (32) 6–10 15% (8) 11–15 12% (6) >15 12% (6) Prefer case conferences 8% (4) Prefer didactic lectures 10% (5) Prefer combination of conferences and lectures 83% (43)
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Radiology and Cardiology
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Importance of Cardiac Imaging Training
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Future of Cardiac Imaging
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Discussion
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