Radiology

Course Description

This clerkship is designed to provide students with their first structured exposure to Radiology. Radiology is a specialty, which encompasses diagnostic imaging as well as diagnostic and therapeutic image-guided interventions. Regardless of what medical or surgical specialty a student may be pursuing, it will become critical that the student be able to effectively manage patient outcomes through the appropriate utilization of radiological exams and therapies. Students will become familiar with the imaging and image-guided interventions available for patient care. Students will learn the fundamentals of diagnostic imaging interpretation and clinical indications for imaging examinations and procedures. Additionally, students will be introduced to digital imagery through the use of PACS and the management, storage, and maintenance of this system.

Clinic Descriptions

Aurora BayCare Medical Center is a Level II Trauma center which offers technologically advanced imaging to a full range of hospital services for the people of Green Bay and northeastern Wisconsin. Our radiologists are subspecialists in interventional radiology, nuclear medicine, neurointerventional radiology, body imaging, and ultrasound. The department's imaging equipment includes, but is not limited to: x-ray, computerized tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasound, nuclear medicine, mammography, and bone densitometry. This department provides 24/7 coverage for all of the hospital and affiliated outpatient clinic radiological needs.

Clerkship Goals

Upon completion of the Radiology Clerkship, all students should:

  1. Learn basic interpretation skills in evaluating images of the chest, breast, abdomen, and musculoskeletal system, and appreciate the importance of history and clinical data in the proper interpretation of imaging exams.
  2. Know how to use the radiographic findings to develop a differential diagnosis and outline subsequent diagnostic work-up for common medical problems such as bone trauma, chest pain, shortness of breath, abdominal pain, and masses.
  3. Review appropriate ordering of imaging, and understand the limitations of imaging, as well as the indications, contraindications, clinical impact, and cost of imaging procedures.
  4. Understand the principles of nuclear medicine, including the use of clinical positron emission tomography (PET).
  5. Understand the basic principles of safety and radiation protection for patients and health care practitioners.
  6. Learn about medical literacy in the practice of radiology.

Experience Requirements

  • Abdominal Pain. - Students will assist with the evaluation of imaging studies including CT and plain radiographs. They will identify abnormal calcifications, air and fluid collections, vascular abnormalities, and masses. Integrating the history with the images, they will help create a list of appropriate differential diagnoses and suggest the next therapeutic step.
  • Bone Trauma. - Students will assist in interpretation of bone and soft tissue abnormalities on radiographs. They will diagnose fractures as well as soft tissue injuries that can mimic fractures. They will assist in requesting appropriate follow-up studies if the initial radiographic images are not diagnostic including MR and image guided procedures.
  • Breast Mass. - Students will assist in the evaluation of a breast mass using features on mammography and be able to explain the usefulness of ancillary procedures such as image guided biopsy, breast ultrasound, and MR. Students will also demonstrate an understanding of the importance and difficulties in communicating information about these imaging studies to the patient.
  • Chest Pain. - Students will assist with evaluation of CT, MR, and chest radiographs to determine the cause of acute chest pain. Students will assist in determining the appropriate sequencing of studies based on history and physical exam findings that might suggest pulmonary emboli, aortic disease, coronary artery disease, pneumothorax, and pneumonia.
  • Shortness of Breath. - Students will assist in the evaluation of patients presenting with shortness of breath. Radiographic images as well as CT and MR will be interpreted. Cases will include pneumothorax, pneumonia, CHF, pulmonary emboli, and coronary artery disease. Students will assist with interpretation of life threatening conditions such as tension pneumothorax.