Learning radiology a survey investigating radiology resident use of textbooks, journals, and the internet.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES

We surveyed radiology residents to understand which information sources residents use to learn radiology.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A 15-question survey on learning resources was given to radiology residents at one institution. The survey queried residents about their preferences for sources when encountering a question in the reading room and when attempting to learn radiology and about the frequency with which they read radiology/medical journals. Residents ranked Internet sites for these learning purposes. The IRB gave administrative approval for the survey.

RESULTS

All residents (60 of 60) completed the survey. When a question is encountered in the reading room, 50 of 60 (83%) respondents prefer to use the Internet as a first-line resource, and 15% prefer a textbook. When using the Internet, 46 of 60 (77%) residents use Google as their first source, 12% use eMedicine, 3% use StatDx, 3% use UpToDate, and 2% use RSNA online journals. eMedicine was the most popular second resource at 65%. Of 60, 59 (98%) residents prefer to use physician/scientist professional Web sites (e.g., eMedicine) rather than consumer/patient-oriented Web sites. When using the Internet to learn radiology, 32% of residents prefer AuntMinnie, 30% use Edactic.com, 22% use ACR Case-In-Point, 3% use www.learningradiology.com, 2% use radquiz.com, and 2% use RadioGraphics online. On average, residents listed 6.2 Internet sites. For textbook learning, 58% of residents prefer case review or requisite books, while 32% prefer traditional textbooks. The mean number of textbooks owned is 5.3, while the mean number of case review or requisite books is 5.4. Of 60 residents, 8 own most or all the case review and requisite books. Twenty-eight percent of residents read radiology textbooks daily; 45%, weekly; 8%, monthly; and 15%, occasionally. Twenty-three percent of residents read radiology journals monthly; 15%, quarterly; 37%, occasionally; and 23%, never. Five percent of residents read medical journals (e.g., The New England Journal of Medicine) monthly; 2%, quarterly; 48%, occasionally; and 45%, never.

CONCLUSION

Currently, residents prefer the Internet when researching a question, with Google as the Web site most commonly used. Case review or requisite books are more commonly used than are traditional textbooks. Radiology resident learning has rapidly shifted from traditional textbooks and journals to the Internet and short case review books.