The Impact of Hosting an American College of Radiology Workshop for Medical Students

Purpose: We organized an ACR-sponsored workshop to provide medical students an opportunity to learn about radiology and network with Arizona-based trainees and radiologists. Along with presentations on the ACR and radiology in medical education, the workshop featured talks from subspecialists in neuroradiology, breast, musculoskeletal, pediatric, and interventional radiology. Students then participated in radiology mystery cases, a Point of Care Ultrasound workshop, or an angiography simulation. Our goal was to gauge attendees’ interest and familiarity with radiology before and after the event.

Methods/Materials: Attendees were asked to complete a pre- and post-event survey. The survey contained Likert scale style questions and a multiple choice question regarding subspecialty interests. Data from the 36 pre- and post-surveys were compared with a paired t-test.

Results: 83 students from Arizona registered for the event. 51 students attended from 7 medical schools, 44 completed the pre-survey and 36 completed the post-survey (>80% completion). Interest in radiology and likelihood of applying to a radiology residency did not significantly change. Attendees’ familiarity with the scope of practice of diagnostic radiologists (p < 0.001), interventional radiologists (p < 0.001) and the ACR (p = 0.002) increased. Before the event, students were most interested in neuroradiology (9) and interventional radiology (7). After the event, students selected musculoskeletal imaging (7) and neuroradiology (7).

Conclusions: Students from nearly every medical school in Arizona attended an ACR workshop to network and learn from local radiologists. We saw a 61% attendance rate from registrants and had over 80% survey completion. This was a free event and likely attracted individuals already interested in radiology. As such, interest in radiology and likelihood of applying to a radiology residency did not significantly increase after the event. However, attendees reported increased familiarity with diagnostic radiology, interventional radiology, and the ACR. This event enhanced attendees' understanding of radiology and the ACR and, for some, led to a shift in their preferred subspecialty.