An aid to image interpretation and differential diagnosis.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES

Proven case conference is a weekly 1-hour session designed to aid diagnostic radiology residents in their ability to interpret images and formulate differential diagnoses. This article provides a detailed description of the format of this conference and its use in evaluating resident performance.

METHODS

The scores of all residents on the written portion of this conference over a 2-year period were compiled. Results were divided according to each residency class, and each resident was compared with the mean of his or her class and with previous performance.

RESULTS

There was overall improvement of the group over the course of residency. All individual scores showed improvement during the 2-year period studied.

CONCLUSION

Proven case conference is a simply performed, well-accepted aid to image interpretation and differential diagnosis. It affords residents an ongoing opportunity for practical learning and provides the residency program director with an objective tool for resident evaluation.