Abstract No. 450 A new standardized interventional radiology learning curriculum: preliminary experience from a single residency program

Abstract

To create an effective and succinct IR learning curriculum that can be used by all training programs to help interventional and diagnostic radiology residents establish both knowledge and clinical competencies for IR. Using graduate medical educational principles of class-switching and experiential learning, a complete IR training curriculum was designed based on a four-rotation schedule at a single institution. The curriculum included (1) overall learning objectives and guidelines for expected competencies in clinical and procedural skills for each rotation based on ABR requirements, (2) self-learning modules assembled using selected print and online resources, (3) clinical experience performing procedures and managing patients, and (4) rotation-specific quizzes and clinical feedback forms. Post rotation, residents also took the national ACR RadExam corresponding to their IR rotation level. The curriculum was implemented starting with the current R2 class as they began their first IR rotation. Average pre- and post rotation quiz scores and clinical evaluations were compared. The average RadExam score was also compared to that of pre implementation residents for the same rotation, using the national average as control. Duration of implementation at time of preliminary analysis was 2.5 months (7/1/19 to 9/15/19), during which four R2 residents rotated through the first IR rotation. Average pre- versus post rotation quiz performances of trainees for the first IR rotation was 55% versus 70%. Clinical evaluation scores were 50% versus 80%. Average RadExam scores showed an 8% increase compared to previous-year trainees before curriculum implementation, while national average increased 4% over the same period of time. The IR training curriculum shows potential in helping trainees establish both clinical and knowledge competencies in IR based on the limited data available thus far. Inclusion of additional data as current residents progress through training will more definitively establish the effectiveness of this training curriculum. Collaboration with additional training institutions can help establish inter-institutional consistency, allowing for standardization of this curriculum.