Reading Room Electives: Say Goodbye to the “Radi-Holiday”

• Published in: Journal of the American College of Radiology Vol. 10; no. 6; pp. 442 - 448
• Main Authors: Naeger, David M., Phelps, Andrew, Kohi, Maureen, Elicker, Brett, Ordovas, Karen, Webb, Emily M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01.06.2013
• Subjects: Curriculum; Education, Medical, Undergraduate - methods; Education, Medical, Undergraduate - organization & administration; Holidays; medical students; Mentors; Radiology; Radiology - education; Reading room electives; teaching; Teaching - methods; Teaching - organization & administration; United States; United States; Reading room electives; teaching; curriculum; medical students
• ISSN: 1546-1440; 1558-349X; 1558-349X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jacr.2012.09.023

Reading room electives are among the most challenging curricula to develop for medical student educators. Students tend to have few responsibilities and poorly defined learning objectives. The authors review the components of a successful reading room elective. The important components include a thorough orientation, written goals and expectations, attendance and feedback systems, objective mid-elective and end-of-elective evaluations, and an end-of-elective debriefing session. Many educational activities, tools, and assessments are available and should be considered to supplement the curriculum. Radiology electives must break free of the “radi-holiday” stereotype and adopt increased responsibilities and expectations, similar to rigorous clinical subinternships.