4th Year - VISTA Horizons Courses
Radiology Clinical Clerkships and Electives
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| Course | Director |
| Diagnostic Radiology (RA 400) | Dr. Isha Gujrathi |
| Hands-on Diagnostic Radiology Advanced Elective (RA434) | Dr. Maria Barile |
| Musculoskeletal Imaging & Intervention (RA 453) | Dr. Ryan Tai |
| Neuroradiology (RA 403) | Dr. Andrew Chen |
| Nuclear Medicine (RA 421) | Dr. Robert Licho |
| Pediatric Radiology (RA 422) | Dr. E. Christine Wallace |
| Vascular Interventional (RA 402) | Dr. Lauren Ferrara |
| Radiology Global Elective Grant | Dr. Maria Barile |
Contact the Medical Student Coordinator by phone at 508-856-5740 or by email.
Diagnostic Radiology (RA 400)
The diagnostic radiology elective provides medical students an opportunity to experience the many facets of a diverse department of radiology. The Medical Student will spend a few days in each of the principle subspecialty areas. Each rotation places the Medical Student in the reading room alongside the resident and attending staff associated with that subspecialty. This offers the opportunity to participate in the actual diagnostic process.
Students are encouraged and expected to participate in procedures to increase their depth of knowledge of imaging, disease and the patient experience.
Clinical conferences and lectures provide a more formal environment in which to study aspects of radiology. A course of lectures tailored to medical students is provided each day while students are also expected to attend radiology noon conferences, clinical radiological conferences and grand rounds.
Each student is asked to give a short PowerPoint presentation on the radiological topic of their choice. This is presented to the elective group at the end of the rotation.
At completion of this course, the Medical Student will have learned some basic principles of radiologic diagnosis. Importantly, they will also have had an opportunity to learn how to interact with the radiology department including the role of examination requests, scheduling examinations, patient preparation and the time commitment for each procedure. They will also have had an introduction to the physicians who specialize in a career in diagnostic radiology.
Subspecialty areas included are
Abdominal Imaging; Chest Radiology; Emergency Radiology; Musculoskeletal Radiology; Neuroradiology; Nuclear Medicine; Pediatric Radiology; Interventional Radiology.
Hands-on Diagnostic Radiology Advanced Elective (RA 434)
Students will be oriented and trained to use the radiology-specific dictation software, and given access to patient imaging modalities such as radiograph, ultrasound, and CT. They will be given cases to interpret, and sign out to an attending physician just as the residents do. Additionally, students will spend two weeks doing procedures with the NVIR department at Memorial with appropriate patient follow-up. They will rotate through the Musculoskeletal and Emergency divisions and a choice of pediatrics or breast imaging to get a sense of the daily routine of residents and attendings at UMass.
Musculoskeletal Imaging & Intervention (RA 453)
The elective is designed to provide an advanced experience in clinical radiology within the subspecialty of musculoskeletal imaging and intervention. The elective is targeted not only to students with interest in imaging sciences or medical imaging as potential future specialty (e.g. Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology), but also those who have interest in specialties with strong foundations in the musculoskeletal system and disease including Orthopedic Surgery, Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Rheumatology, and Sports Medicine.
During the four-week elective, students will interact with MSK radiology faculty, MSK fellow and Radiology Residents on their MSK rotation. The student will spend time with faculty and staff in both the diagnostic and interventional roles of the radiologist.
The student is expected to gain an appreciation of common image guided procedures performed by the MSK radiologist including fluoroscopic joint procedures, ultrasound guided diagnostic and therapeutic injections and ultrasound and CT guided biopsies. The student will be exposed to all facets of the intervention from pre-procedure workup through navigation of the EMR and communication with the referring service; to direct patient interaction during the screening, positioning and intervention; and concluding with post procedure care. Students will learn about the duration and extent of intervention experienced by the patient and a sense of how much cooperation is expected from the patient during the variety of procedures.
When not actively involved with imaging guided MSK interventional procedures, the student with spend time with faculty and staff in the MSK division observing the process of modality protocolling for MRI and CT and review X-ray, ultrasound, CT and MRI examinations of the musculoskeletal system. The importance of ACR appropriateness criteria, radiation and safety, and communication will be emphasized.
Neuroradiology (RA 403)
This medical student clinical elective places a strong emphasis on education, introducing students to imaging as future referrers or radiologists. Students will split their time in the neuroradiology division between CT and MRI. During this time the student will work alongside residents, fellows and attendings reviewing brain, head/neck, and spine examinations. Procedures covered include fluoroscopically-guided lumbar punctures and myelography. The student will have the opportunity to attend the general resident noon conference, neuroradiology conferences and a number of interdepartmental conferences.
This is a standalone course and does not require a prerequisite in diagnostic radiology. This course is flexible and may be split with other radiology electives as the schedule permits and on a case by case basis. The student should expect to be challenged during this elective. The student will be paired with a senior resident or fellow and assigned a project which must be completed during their rotation. Many have chosen to submit case reports to the American College of Radiology and more capable students have submitted more than one.
This course is open to all senior medical students who are interested in learning more about radiology. Beyond future radiology residents, recent participants have matched in neurosurgery, neurology, ENT, orthopedics, plastics, ophthalmology, radiation oncology and internal medicine.
Nuclear Medicine (RA 421)
The aim of this elective are to provide students with a grounding in the diagnostic and therapeutic use of radioisotopes in patients with a wide variety of disease. Emphasis will be placed on Nuclear Cardiology, thyroid imaging, general organ imaging, and nuclear oncology (PET-CT). There will also be an introduction to isotope handling techniques. Applications of computers to digital image processing will be taught and there will be practical experience in the use of computers in the analysis of clinical studies.
Pediatric Radiology (RA 422)
This specialty is focused on diagnosis of disease in children less than 18 years of age. Many of the imaging subspecialties are represented with the common theme being the diseases of childhood. This rotation places the Medical Student in the reading room alongside the resident and attending staff in pediatric radiology. This offers the opportunity to participate in the actual diagnostic process.
Students are encouraged and expected to participate in procedures to increase their depth of knowledge of imaging, disease and the patient and parent experience.
Clinical conferences and lectures provide a more formal environment in which to study aspects of radiology. A course of lectures tailored to medical students is provided each day while students are also expected to attend radiology noon conferences, pediatric based clinical radiological conferences and grand rounds.
Each student is asked to give a short PowerPoint presentation on the pediatric radiological topic of their choice. This is presented to the medical student elective group at the end of the rotation.
At completion of this course, the Medical Student will have learned some basic principles of radiologic diagnosis. Importantly, they will also have had an opportunity to learn how to interact with the pediatric radiology department including the role of examination requests, scheduling examinations, patient preparation, and importantly the time commitment for each procedure. They will also have had an introduction to the pediatric physicians who specialize in a career in pediatric radiology.
Vascular Interventional Radiology (RA 402)
Interventional Radiology at UMass Memorial Medical Center covers vascular, GI, GU and biliary procedures under fluoroscopic and ultrasound guidance. We also perform ultrasound and CT scanner guided interventions. This offers the opportunity to be directly involved in patient care.
Students are encouraged and expected to participate in procedures to increase their depth of knowledge of disease, diagnostic and therapeutic procedure and in patient experience.
During the elective, the candidate will be spending time in Interventional Radiology. The candidate will have to:
- Understand indication for procedures
- Become familiar with different imaging modalities (Angio, CT and US)
- Participate in the work up of patients prior to procedures
- Observe various types of procedures
- Participate in rounds and multidisciplinary conferences
- Observe in a research laboratory, if time permits
Each student is asked to give a short PowerPoint presentation on the radiological topic of their choice. This will be presented to the interventional radiology group at the end of the rotation.
Direct feedback will be provided at the completion of the rotation.
Radiology Global Elective
The Radiology Global Elective is available to rising 4th year UMass Chan medical students in good academic standing. The student will identify and participate in a research project at a host academic institution in a foreign country under the supervision of a mentor in the UMass Chan Radiology Department and a mentor at the host institution. A stipend of $4000 will be provided by the radiology department to one student each year. The selected student will have to follow institutional guidelines and secure all required documentation to be eligible for the stipend. Program information - PDF