Introducing First-Year Radiology Residents to the ACR at the AMCLC From 2009-2011: The Potential Impact for ACR and State Radiological Society Memberships

Abstract

This study was designed to determine if first-year radiology resident attendance at the ACR AMCLC over a period of 3 years from 2009 to 2011 led to increased resident knowledge regarding the ACR and Minnesota Radiological Society (MRS), and whether resident involvement in the conference would influence their decisions to participate in the ACR and state radiological societies in the future. All first-year radiology residents from the University of Minnesota and the Mayo Clinic residency programs were invited to attend the ACR AMCLC from 2009 to 2011. Local radiology and radiation oncology groups provided funding for travel and hotel expenses, and both residency programs granted residents one day off from clinical duties to travel. Preconference and postconference questionnaires were used to assess residents' knowledge of the general structure and function of the ACR and MRS. Postconference questionnaires were also used to assess residents' satisfaction with the conference and determine their likelihood of joining the ACR and MRS in the future. A total of 46 residents from the residency programs attended the conference over this time period. Residents' knowledge regarding the ACR and MRS increased after the conference, with improved performance on postconference objective and subjective responses. The number of issues residents identified as important to radiology increased after the conference. The vast majority of residents had a very positive experience at the conference and were "highly likely" or "likely" to join the ACR and MRS in the future. Results from the first 3 years of this ongoing study indicate that attending the ACR AMCLC has been an overwhelmingly positive experience for first-year radiology residents from the University of Minnesota and the Mayo Clinic programs. Residents' knowledge regarding the ACR and MRS increased nearly 2-fold following the conference. Future state radiological society and ACR membership rates among the participants in our study could potentially be higher than the current national average. Furthermore, we believe the residents' experiences at the conference play an important role in their development as more connected, informed, and politically active radiologists in the future.