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3rd Year Medical Students - Vista Exploration Courses

Radiology Clerkship

The clerkship in Radiology is part of the Radiology/Surgery block and consists of 1 week of Radiology coordinated with the Surgery clerkship, one week of Family Medicine, and two weeks of FPEs. The students are assigned exclusively to the University campus.   

The students will learn the basics of all the radiology subspecialities—abdominal radiology, breast radiology, cardiothoracic radiology, emergency radiology, interventional radiology, neuroradiology, nuclear medicine and molecular imaging, musculoskeletal radiology, and pediatric radiology.

All students participate in didactic learning sessions with embedded large group discussions, complete independent learning modules, preview cases on the medical student PACS and write up complete radiology reports, discuss radiology cases in small groups, observe radiology technologists, and participate in read-outs with the radiology trainees and attendings in reading rooms.

The goal of the Radiology Clerkship is to provide students with a fundamental knowledge of radiology for subsequent clinical experiences. 

After the Radiology Clerkship, the student will be able to:

  1. Construct the appropriate imaging algorithms for common clinical indications.
  2. Compare and contrast the benefits and limitations of different radiologic modalities (including radiation exposure of various radiologic modalities)
  3. Describe how radiology services are delivered in the healthcare system.
  4. Identify normal anatomical structures on chest, abdominal, and musculoskeletal radiographs; and chest, abdominal, and head CTs.
  5. Recognize basic radiological findings of common and emergent pathologies.
  6. Use accurate radiology terminology to describe imaging findings.
  7. Describe the components of a radiology report.
  8. Create a radiology report.
  9. Describe the basic steps of an imaging guided interventions and obtain informed consent for image guided interventions

Dr. Ryan TaiClerkship Director

Radiology Flexible Professional  Experiences Curriculum
FPE - One Week Rotation

Course Director
Breast Imaging (FPE 3015) Dr. Anushree Agarwal
Interventional Radiology Experiences (FPE 3023)    Dr. Lauren Ferrara
Musculoskeletal Imaging (FPE 3036) Dr. Ryan Tai
Neuroradiology (FPE 3011)  Dr. Andrew Chen
Pediatric Radiology (FPE 358) Dr. E. Christine Wallace
Women in Radiology (RA 301) Dr. Maria Barile

Contact the Medical Student Coordinator by phone at 508-856-5740 or by email.

A one week opportunity to sample each subspecialty providing information which may be helpful to the 3rd year Medical Student deciding on a future career. The FPE student will be in the diagnostic reading room at the work station, will have the opportunity to see some procedures and will work closely with the supervising Radiologist. Students interested in one of the following FPEs can explore available dates and details here.

Breast Imaging (FPE 3015)

An introduction to the field of breast imaging to help medical students who are not per se going into breast imaging but who are interested in a field that may involve interpreting breast imaging report or studies, such as surgery, OB/GYN or primary care.

Musculoskeletal Imaging (FPE 3036)

This is a one week course in musculoskeletal imaging intended for medical students interested in exploring imaging and image guided interventions of the musculoskeletal system. Students will be exposed to a wide variety of musculoskeletal conditions including: rheumatologic disease, tumors, trauma and sports related injuries.

Neuroradiology (FPE 3011)

This elective is intended for those students interested in learning more about the field of radiology and its role in medicine.  From diagnosis, surveillance and treatment of disease, radiology is a complex field.  The primary goal of this elective is to allow the student to explore radiology as a potential career. This elective allows the student to participate in the cutting-edge technology of radiology.  We have found this is a gap in the education as they are not exposed to during their core clinical experiences.

Radiology is a broad field with multiple subspecialties, including neuroradiology, MSK, pediatrics, body, chest, mammography, ER and interventional radiology.  Due to its diversity and the relative short time of a FPE, this elective focuses on neuroradiology.  The student will learn about the role of the neuroradiologist in trauma, tumors, infection, inflammatory disorders, and degenerative process of the brain, head and neck, and spine.

The student will interact with the attendings, fellows, and residents to discover the career of a radiologist. By the end of the rotation, we hope that the student has a better understanding of the radiologist’s role in a multidisciplinary patient care environment.  If the student finds radiology to be a potential career path, then the student may consider a more in depth exploration of the radiology subspecialties by taking a general diagnostic radiology elective or our neuroradiology elective.

Pediatric Radiology (FPE 358)

This one week elective course in pediatric imaging is intended to enable the student to become acquainted with the diagnostic capabilities of a modern pediatric radiology department. Students will become familiar with the advantages and limitations of the various radiologic modalities, and develop a more intelligent and logical approach to diagnostic imaging. Principles of radiation dose reduction (ALARA) will be emphasized.

Women in Radiology (RA 301)

Women are underrepresented in the field of radiology and only make up about 25% of practicing radiologists. However, with the number of current and future female physicians steadily rising, and with more women than men enrolled in US medical schools (in 2017), increasing female interest and participation in the field of radiology is an important mission. Exposures and experiences with female radiologists include- Emergency Radiology, Breast Imaging, Oncologic Imaging/Body, Neuro Interventional Radiology, Chest Imaging, Pediatric Radiology, Musculoskeletal Imaging.