Elective in Diagnostic Radiology

This elective will introduce the student to the fundamentals and basic principles of radiologic imaging and interpretation necessary for clinical management. The student will rotate through one week blocks on the Chest, Musculoskeletal (MSK), and GI/GU services as well as the radiology section of the Emergency Department (ED), with the goal of learning the fundamentals of interpreting plain films in these various sections.

The emphasis on the Chest service will be the interpretation of plain films seen in the ICUs and imaging related to acute and chronic chest pathology.
On the MSK service, emphasis will be placed on interpretation of fractures, plain film findings of bone disease, and post-operative imaging.
On the GI/GU service, students will be able to observe and participate in fluoroscopic gastrointestinal studies and their interpretation.
The ED rotation will expose the student to the wide array of imaging performed through the ED including trauma.

In addition to learning to interpret plain film imaging, the students will also be exposed to more advanced imaging modalities (CT, Ultrasound, and MRI). The students will be paired with a dedicated resident on their weekly rotations and will also participate in read outs with attending radiologists on the services. The students will be taught relevant radiologic anatomy, the appropriateness of ordering various studies in the diagnosis of disease, and will also be exposed to what the performance of various studies entail. Students will be introduced to the basics of radiologic reporting and dictation.

Students, if desired, will have the option to tailor the rotations to specific interests within radiology outside the core areas discussed above (e.g. Ultrasound, mammography, interventional radiology, neuroradiology, nuclear medicine).

Length of Rotation: 4 weeks (maximum-6 students)
Scheduling Restriction(s): N/A
Student’s Class Level: 3rd, 4th, 5th year
Prerequisite(s): N/A
Accept Visiting Students: Yes.

The students will attend the twice daily departmental resident lectures and weekly medical student radiologic lectures. In addition, at least two core introductory lectures in each subspecialty of chest, MSK, GI/GU and ED imaging will be given.
Self-teaching material will be available on-line and students will be expected to review this during each of their weeks.
There are no call responsibilities although students do have the option of participating in evening shifts in the ED to gain more experience and broader exposure to this busy service, if desired.

Elective case presentations:

At the conclusion of the elective, each student will give a short presentation of an interesting case of his/her choosing with discussion of relevant imaging.

The following is a list of short presentations given by prior students during the radiology elective.

Thoracic Radiology
Cardiovascular
Gastrointestinal
Genitourinary
Neuroradiology
Musculoskeletal
Breast Imaging
Ultrasound
Nuclear Medicine
Miscellaneous