Curricula for Teaching MRI Safety, and MRI and CT Contrast Safety to Residents: How Effective Are Live Lectures and Online Modules?

• Published in: Journal of the American College of Radiology Vol. 12; no. 10; pp. 1093 - 1096
• Main Authors: Swensson, Jordan, MD, McMahan, Lane, MD, Rase, Ben, MD, Tahir, Bilal, MD
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01.10.2015
• Subjects: Clinical Trials as Topic; Computer-Assisted Instruction - methods; contrast; Curriculum; Education; Internet; Internship and Residency - organization & administration; MRI; Online Systems; Patient Safety; Radiology; Radiology - education; residents; Safety Management - organization & administration; Teaching - methods; United States; United States; CT; residents; Education; MRI; contrast
• ISSN: 1546-1440; 1558-349X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jacr.2015.04.012

Abstract Purpose The advent of the diagnostic radiology core examination and the new ACGME “milestone” evaluation system for radiology residents places new emphasis on topics in MRI and CT safety, and MRI and CT contrast agents. We evaluated whether either lecture-based teaching or online modules would improve baseline resident knowledge in these areas, and assessed which intervention was more effective. Methods Before didactic intervention, 2 cohorts were created from 57 radiology residents, with equal numbers and a matched level of training. The residents were tested on their baseline knowledge of MRI, MRI contrast safety, and CT contrast safety, using a multiple-choice examination. One group attended a live, 1-hour lecture on the preceding topics. The other engaged in 3 short online educational modules. After 6 weeks, the residents were again tested with the same questions to assess for improvement in their understanding. Results Both the module and lecture cohorts demonstrated a statistically significant increase in questions answered correctly on CT contrast safety (13.1%, P < .001, and 19.1%, P < .001, respectively), and on MRI and MRI contrast safety (12.9%, P < .001, and 14.4%, P  < .001). The preintervention and postintervention scores, and degree of improvement postintervention, were similar for the module versus lecture groups, without a statistically significant difference ( P  = .70). Resident confidence improved in both groups, for both modalities. Conclusions Focused didactic intervention improves resident knowledge of MRI and CT safety, and MRI and CT contrast agents. Live lectures and online modules can be equally effective, allowing residency programs flexibility.