Profile of medical student teaching in radiology: Teaching methods, staff participation, and rewards

Rationale and Objectives. The purpose of this study was to collect demograp hic information about radiology departments and rewards for teaching activi ties, as well as the impact of new digital imaging methods on teaching. Materials and Methods. Two surveys were conducted of directors of medical s chool clerkships in radiology. The initial survey focused on numbers of sta ff and students, courses taught, and perception of rewards fur teaching. Th e fellow-up survey more specifically addressed teaching methods. Results. Sixty-nine (50%) of the initial surveys sent to 139 departments an d 46 (39% of a total of 119) of the follow-up surveys were returned. Clerks hip directors spent an average of 9 hours per week teaching and performing administrative tasks, with most given no additional time off. Eighty-four p ercent of departments provide either no or insignificant rewards for teachi ng. Many departments have integrated the use of computers in teaching, and most have computers that students use during the radiology course. At the s ame time, digital imaging and picture archiving and communication systems ( PACS) are used, or will be used within 1 year, in most departments. Conclusion. Clerkship directors receive Little compensation in terms of tim e and rewards for medical student teaching. Teaching methods are evolving i n response to the increasing use of computers, digital imaging, and PACS fo r at least part of the workload in most radiology departments.