•
Opinion A Contribution to Resident Education 1 William M. Thompson, M.D., Judith A. Operchal, M.D., and Malcolm D. Jones, M.D. The American Association of Academic Chief Residents in Radiology (A3CR2) is devoted to the improvement of training techniques in radiology. Through its annual meeting, residents have the opportunity of meeting their colleagues, presenting scientific papers and exhibits and exchanging ideas with department chairmen and lecturers. Each year, a representative from the American College of Radiology presents an overview of current political trends and federal medical legislation. Also, a questionnaire is circulated to all of the chief residents in the U.S. and Canada in an effort to ascertain their problems, goals and aspirations. Cooperation with this group is strongly urged. INDEX TERMS:
Education. Opinions. Radiological Societies. Radiology and Radiolo-
gists Radiology 119:235-236, April 1976
• The chairmen of radiology residency programs enjoy the opportunity of advancing the educational experience of their trainees. By increasing their support of the chief residents' organization-The American Association of Academic Chief Residents in Radiology (A3CR 2)_ chairmen can more fully contribute to this vital area. Chairmen should encourage both their incoming and outgoing chief residents to attend the annual A3CR2 meeting. The organization subsidizes their living expenses during their three-day meeting. However, the chairmen have traditionally subsidized the travel expenses of their attendees. The chairmen, through the Society of Chairmen of Academic Radiology Departments (SCARD) and the American College of Radiology, have the opportunity to contribute to the residents' educational experience by increasing their communication with A3CR2 . Many chairmen and members of the American College may ask why they should endorse and communicate with A3CR2. There are a number of persuasive reasons. The annual symposium of A3CR2 provides the only opportunity for the chief residents from all over the United States and Canada to gather specifically to discuss mutual problems. Most residents are curious as to how their training compares with other programs. Through the discussions at the annual meeting, mutual problems are discovered as well as the advantages and disadvantages of respective training programs. The chief residents confirm their belief that every program has inherent strengths and weaknesses; a perfect training program simply does not exist. However, most of the residents realize that they are being well trained.
This exchange of ideas has a positive influence on the residents as they formulate ideas to strengthen their own respective programs. During previous symposia, residents have exchanged ideas with chairmen who were guest lecturers or on the film panels. This facet of the meeting is probably reason enough for chairmen to increase their support of A 3CR2. However, there are other aspects of this meeting that warrant full support from the chairmen as well as the College. At the annual meeting, the residents participate in film panels and p.resent scientific papers, which is a stimulating, maturing experience. These informative presentations further reflect the high calibre of radiology training throughout the United States. Another important aspect of the meeting is the participation by a number of guest lecturers. Each year, a representative from The American College of Radiology office in Washington, D. C. has presented current political trends and what radiologists can expect from federal medical legislation. This is one of the few opportunities during training that the residents have to hear about the federal government's influence on radiology. The information is disturbing at times. However, it is imperative that young radiologists keep abreast of medical legislation for radiology to progress. One final reason the chairmen might increase their support is the annual questionnaire which seeks information inclusive of all aspects of radiology training programs. The questionnaire has been circulated each year to all of the chief residents in the United States and Canada. The initial format, now revised annually,
2 1 From the 1975 A3CR Steering Committee (W. M. T., Chairman; Duke University Medical Center, Durham, N.C.; J. A. 0., Vanderbilt University Hospital, Nashville, Tenn.) and the Department of Radiology (M. D. J., Chairman), University of Texas Medical School, San Antonio, Texas. Accepted for publication in January 1976. shan
235
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OPINION
was established by Dr. Ronald Evens of the Mallinckrodt Institute. In 1975, there was a 70% return from over 100 U. S. training centers. The results tabulated by one of us (J. 0.) were discussed at the meeting. Some interesting facts were revealed. Seventy-five per cent of the radiology training programs in the United States accept candidates while they are fourth-year medical students in line with the phasing out of formal internships. The majority of the programs plan a decrease in the number of residents. Only 4 residents polled indicated plans to increase the number of residents in their programs. Sixty-six per cent of the chief residents felt there were too many residents in training at the present. Yet in apparent contradiction, these same residents indicated that 75 % of their co-trainees were able to find desirable positions in areas of their choice. The reason for the two contradictory results in the poll became apparent in the discussions of the questionnaire at the meeting. Every resident would like to find the ideal practice. However, they agreed that it is unrealistic for 100 % of the residents to find ideal positions. The fact that 25 % of the trainees were unable to find an ideal practice suggested to the chief residents that there were too many radiologists being trained. However, the chief residents felt that there were still many excellent positions throughout the United States since 75 % of the residents could find a desirable practice in the area of their choice. Some residents, in fact, suggested that with the growth of ultrasound, total body scanning, and possibly a form of national health insurance, a shortage of radiologists in the next five years may result rather than a surplus. Most of the residents were interested in obtaining extra training in a particular area of interest. The possibility of extending the training program for another 6-12 months in order to incorporate computed tomography and ultrasound was suggested by some. Most programs
April 1976
have subspecialty electives available ranging from one month to two years. In some programs, an individual must spend one to two years after the standard threeyear training program to obtain expertise in a subspecialtyarea. One interesting change revealed by the questionnaire was that 25 % of the chief residents indicated an interest in academic careers. This represents a 10-15 % increase over previous years. The leadership of A3CR2, the Steering Committee, changes each year. In order to maintain continuity, it is imperative for both incoming and outgoing chief residents to attend the annual meeting. As a result, attendance has steadily increased. Ninety-seven chief residents attended the 1975 annual meeting in San Diego, Calif. They represented 61 training centers in the United States and Canada. This was the best attended meeting of A3CR2 since its beginning in 1969. Hopefully, this trend will continue and more institutions will be represented each year. A3CR2 is a viable organization which serves an important function. It is the only forum residents have and the only specific opportunity to communicate with each other. This annual symposium provides the opportunity for the residents to gain confidence in their individual programs, promotes free communication among the participants and has the potential of improving the overall training of radiologists throughout the United States and Canada. Our goal is a stronger liaison between A3CR2 and both the chairmen of radiology training programs and the American College of Radiology. The development of such reciprocal communication and increased support should prove beneficial for each society and help ensure the future of radiology. Department of Radiology Duke University Medical Center Durham, N.C. 27710
Opinion A Contribution to Resident Education 1 William M. Thompson, M.D., Judith A. Operchal, M.D., and Malcolm D. Jones, M.D. The American Association of Academic Chief Residents in Radiology (A3CR2) is devoted to the improvement of training techniques in radiology. Through its annual meeting, residents have the opportunity of meeting their colleagues, presenting scientific papers and exhibits and exchanging ideas with department chairmen and lecturers. Each year, a representative from the American College of Radiology presents an overview of current political trends and federal medical legislation. Also, a questionnaire is circulated to all of the chief residents in the U.S. and Canada in an effort to ascertain their problems, goals and aspirations. Cooperation with this group is strongly urged. INDEX TERMS:
Education. Opinions. Radiological Societies. Radiology and Radiolo-
gists Radiology 119:235-236, April 1976
• The chairmen of radiology residency programs enjoy the opportunity of advancing the educational experience of their trainees. By increasing their support of the chief residents' organization-The American Association of Academic Chief Residents in Radiology (A3CR 2)_ chairmen can more fully contribute to this vital area. Chairmen should encourage both their incoming and outgoing chief residents to attend the annual A3CR2 meeting. The organization subsidizes their living expenses during their three-day meeting. However, the chairmen have traditionally subsidized the travel expenses of their attendees. The chairmen, through the Society of Chairmen of Academic Radiology Departments (SCARD) and the American College of Radiology, have the opportunity to contribute to the residents' educational experience by increasing their communication with A3CR2 . Many chairmen and members of the American College may ask why they should endorse and communicate with A3CR2. There are a number of persuasive reasons. The annual symposium of A3CR2 provides the only opportunity for the chief residents from all over the United States and Canada to gather specifically to discuss mutual problems. Most residents are curious as to how their training compares with other programs. Through the discussions at the annual meeting, mutual problems are discovered as well as the advantages and disadvantages of respective training programs. The chief residents confirm their belief that every program has inherent strengths and weaknesses; a perfect training program simply does not exist. However, most of the residents realize that they are being well trained.
This exchange of ideas has a positive influence on the residents as they formulate ideas to strengthen their own respective programs. During previous symposia, residents have exchanged ideas with chairmen who were guest lecturers or on the film panels. This facet of the meeting is probably reason enough for chairmen to increase their support of A 3CR2. However, there are other aspects of this meeting that warrant full support from the chairmen as well as the College. At the annual meeting, the residents participate in film panels and p.resent scientific papers, which is a stimulating, maturing experience. These informative presentations further reflect the high calibre of radiology training throughout the United States. Another important aspect of the meeting is the participation by a number of guest lecturers. Each year, a representative from The American College of Radiology office in Washington, D. C. has presented current political trends and what radiologists can expect from federal medical legislation. This is one of the few opportunities during training that the residents have to hear about the federal government's influence on radiology. The information is disturbing at times. However, it is imperative that young radiologists keep abreast of medical legislation for radiology to progress. One final reason the chairmen might increase their support is the annual questionnaire which seeks information inclusive of all aspects of radiology training programs. The questionnaire has been circulated each year to all of the chief residents in the United States and Canada. The initial format, now revised annually,
2 1 From the 1975 A3CR Steering Committee (W. M. T., Chairman; Duke University Medical Center, Durham, N.C.; J. A. 0., Vanderbilt University Hospital, Nashville, Tenn.) and the Department of Radiology (M. D. J., Chairman), University of Texas Medical School, San Antonio, Texas. Accepted for publication in January 1976. shan
235
236
OPINION
was established by Dr. Ronald Evens of the Mallinckrodt Institute. In 1975, there was a 70% return from over 100 U. S. training centers. The results tabulated by one of us (J. 0.) were discussed at the meeting. Some interesting facts were revealed. Seventy-five per cent of the radiology training programs in the United States accept candidates while they are fourth-year medical students in line with the phasing out of formal internships. The majority of the programs plan a decrease in the number of residents. Only 4 residents polled indicated plans to increase the number of residents in their programs. Sixty-six per cent of the chief residents felt there were too many residents in training at the present. Yet in apparent contradiction, these same residents indicated that 75 % of their co-trainees were able to find desirable positions in areas of their choice. The reason for the two contradictory results in the poll became apparent in the discussions of the questionnaire at the meeting. Every resident would like to find the ideal practice. However, they agreed that it is unrealistic for 100 % of the residents to find ideal positions. The fact that 25 % of the trainees were unable to find an ideal practice suggested to the chief residents that there were too many radiologists being trained. However, the chief residents felt that there were still many excellent positions throughout the United States since 75 % of the residents could find a desirable practice in the area of their choice. Some residents, in fact, suggested that with the growth of ultrasound, total body scanning, and possibly a form of national health insurance, a shortage of radiologists in the next five years may result rather than a surplus. Most of the residents were interested in obtaining extra training in a particular area of interest. The possibility of extending the training program for another 6-12 months in order to incorporate computed tomography and ultrasound was suggested by some. Most programs
April 1976
have subspecialty electives available ranging from one month to two years. In some programs, an individual must spend one to two years after the standard threeyear training program to obtain expertise in a subspecialtyarea. One interesting change revealed by the questionnaire was that 25 % of the chief residents indicated an interest in academic careers. This represents a 10-15 % increase over previous years. The leadership of A3CR2, the Steering Committee, changes each year. In order to maintain continuity, it is imperative for both incoming and outgoing chief residents to attend the annual meeting. As a result, attendance has steadily increased. Ninety-seven chief residents attended the 1975 annual meeting in San Diego, Calif. They represented 61 training centers in the United States and Canada. This was the best attended meeting of A3CR2 since its beginning in 1969. Hopefully, this trend will continue and more institutions will be represented each year. A3CR2 is a viable organization which serves an important function. It is the only forum residents have and the only specific opportunity to communicate with each other. This annual symposium provides the opportunity for the residents to gain confidence in their individual programs, promotes free communication among the participants and has the potential of improving the overall training of radiologists throughout the United States and Canada. Our goal is a stronger liaison between A3CR2 and both the chairmen of radiology training programs and the American College of Radiology. The development of such reciprocal communication and increased support should prove beneficial for each society and help ensure the future of radiology. Department of Radiology Duke University Medical Center Durham, N.C. 27710
