PACS can better capture experiential learning, enhance radiology training
Developments in information technology over the last 50 years have propelled radiology into the digital arena—but when it comes to experiential learning (EL), paper logbooks still reign supreme.
A group of researchers in Cape Town, South Africa, found modern PACS/RIS may be a more adequate platform to record such training to better reflect a resident’s total clinical output.
Wilhelmus Greyling, with Stellenbosch University and Tygerberg Academic Hospital, and colleagues published findings July 20 in the Journal of Digital Imaging.
“The PACS/RIS captures an individual’s complete reporting portfolio, including examination descriptors, patient demographics, clinical details, radiological findings, the supervising radiologist, and the procedure date and time,” authors wrote. “The PACS/RIS thus represents a comprehensive, objective, digital repository of residency outputs, providing unique insights into the extent of clinical exposure.”
Greyling and colleagues included 15 residents from Tygerberg in their retrospective PACS/RIS analysis performed from July 1, 2009, to July 31, 2017. They measured the comprehensive clinical outputs of residents and correlated those results with recruitment criteria and exit exam scores.
The average total clinical output was 8,286 cases, with CT and radiography the most commonly reported exam, accounting for nearly 70 percent of all work. Fluoroscopy, mammography and MR each totaled approximately 5 percent.
Overall, the group said its research could provide useful baseline educational data, which may be used to enhance specialty training across the globe.
“[The study results] demonstrates the potential for the modern PACS/RIS to supersede the traditional logbook and to serve as a comprehensive EL portfolio for radiology residents,” Greyling et al. wrote.
Twelve residents (80 percent) passed the final fellowship exam on the first try. Eleven residents had a median 24 months of experience as medical officers, and 12 passed the primary exam before training started.
According to authors, higher total outputs did not correlate with initial exam success, except in the case of interventional procedures.
Additionally, those with prior radiology experience had greater success during their first exam attempt despite lower average outputs.
“It is hoped that this report will stimulate similar PACS/RIS-based analyses from other centers, enhancing understanding of radiology training programs globally,” they concluded.
Matt joined Chicago’s TriMed team in 2018 covering all areas of health imaging after two years reporting on the hospital field. He holds a bachelor’s in English from UIC, and enjoys a good cup of coffee and an interesting documentary.