Rethinking Radiology: An Active Learning Curriculum for Head Computed Tomography Interpretation.

Publisher: Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California, Irvine Country of Publication: United States NLM ID: 101476450 Publication Model: Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1936-9018 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 1936900X NLM ISO Abbreviation: West J Emerg Med Subsets: MEDLINE

Publication: <2011>- : Irvine, CA : Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California, Irvine
Original Publication: Orange, CA : California Chapter of the American Academy of Emergency Medicine

Internship and Residency* ; Radiology*/education; Clinical Competence ; Curriculum ; Education, Medical, Graduate ; Humans ; Problem-Based Learning ; Prospective Studies ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Introduction: Head computed tomography (CT) interpretation is a vital skill for emergency physicians. Existing literature shows poor concordance between emergency physicians and radiologists in head CT interpretation. Prior studies have used passive learning methods to address this knowledge gap. We created an active learning curriculum for teaching head CT interpretation to emergency medicine (EM) residents and compared its effectiveness to a passive learning strategy.
Methods: We conducted a prospective, randomized controlled study of EM residents at a single institution. Three educational sessions were delivered over a three-month period via video conference. The active learning cohort (ALC) scrolled through head CT teaching cases we designed on Pascbin, a web-based radiology picture archiving and communication system. The passive learning cohort (PLC) watched instructional videos that scrolled through the same cases. Both cohorts were given equal time to review the cases and ask an instructor questions. Residents took pre-intervention and post-intervention tests on head CT interpretation. We analyzed scores using paired and unpaired t-tests.
Results: Forty-two residents took the pre-intervention test. Mean pre- and post-test scores for the ALC were 43.8% and 59.0% (P <0.001), and for the PLC were 41.7% and 45.3% (P = 0.29). The difference in ALC and PLC post-test scores was statistically significant (P = 0.009) with a large effect size (Cohen's d = 1.34).
Conclusion: Our active learning head CT curriculum using Pacsbin showed superior learning outcomes when compared to a passive learning strategy and required no additional time or resources. This intervention offers a more effective and learner-centric method for implementing radiology curricula in EM residency programs.

Curr Probl Diagn Radiol. 2019 Sep - Oct;48(5):441-447. (PMID: 30149899)
Radiology. 2004 Apr;231(1):190-7. (PMID: 15068948)
Med Educ Online. 2015 Jul 07;20:27289. (PMID: 26160805)
Acad Med. 2009 Mar;84(3):340-6. (PMID: 19240441)
AEM Educ Train. 2017 Jan 19;1(1):43-47. (PMID: 30051008)
Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2001 Jun;155(6):669-72. (PMID: 11386954)
Psychon Bull Rev. 2013 Dec;20(6):1350-6. (PMID: 23645413)
Ann Emerg Med. 1995 Feb;25(2):169-74. (PMID: 7832342)
Perm J. 2018;22:17-055. (PMID: 29272248)
Br J Radiol. 2011 Nov;84(1007):1040-5. (PMID: 22011832)
J Emerg Med. 2015 Jan;48(1):85-93. (PMID: 25440868)
Emerg Med J. 2014 Jun;31(6):467-70. (PMID: 23576233)
Pediatr Radiol. 2019 Jul;49(8):990-999. (PMID: 31093725)
Emerg Med Australas. 2007 Apr;19(2):122-8. (PMID: 17448097)
Ann Emerg Med. 1998 Nov;32(5):554-62. (PMID: 9795317)
Emerg Med J. 2005 Aug;22(8):538-40. (PMID: 16046750)
Ann Emerg Med. 1997 Nov;30(5):616-21. (PMID: 9360572)
Teach Learn Med. 2005 Spring;17(2):130-5. (PMID: 15833722)
Acad Radiol. 2020 Sep;27(9):1285-1290. (PMID: 32565164)
Radiographics. 2020 Jul-Aug;40(4):1196-1197. (PMID: 32609591)
Australas Radiol. 2003 Dec;47(4):368-74. (PMID: 14641187)
Acad Med. 2013 May;88(5):644-51. (PMID: 23524926)
Med Teach. 2017 Jan;39(1):26-31. (PMID: 27665669)
Postgrad Med J. 2017 Aug;93(1102):454-459. (PMID: 28011895)
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2019 Sep 24;116(39):19251-19257. (PMID: 31484770)
Emerg Radiol. 2008 Nov;15(6):405-12. (PMID: 18665405)
Fam Med. 2007 Jul-Aug;39(7):498-503. (PMID: 17602325)
Acad Radiol. 2018 Jun;25(6):811-818. (PMID: 29555567)
Biochem Mol Biol Educ. 2019 Jan;47(1):29-40. (PMID: 30548154)
Trends Cogn Sci. 2008 Jun;12(6):237-41. (PMID: 18468944)
Med Teach. 2007 Feb;29(1):38-42. (PMID: 17538832)
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2014 Jun 10;111(23):8410-5. (PMID: 24821756)
Emerg Med J. 2009 Aug;26(8):583-5. (PMID: 19625556)

Date Created: 20220121 Date Completed: 20220125 Latest Revision: 20220128

20221213

PMC8782134

10.5811/westjem.2021.10.53665

35060860