Online radiology teaching for doctors in a university setting: an Australian experience.

Abstract

Background: Imaging Surgical Patients (ISP) and Essential Imaging for Clinicians (EIC) are online medical imaging units of study for non-radiologist medical practitioners within the Master of Surgery and Master of Medicine programs at the University of Sydney. This paper presents the findings of evaluations of the coursework associated with these units.

Methods: ISP and EIC were reviewed after successful delivery of 8 and 4 semesters, respectively. Reflection and analyses were drawn from the educational team's experiences, formal student feedback, and cohort demographic data in the context of changes made to the units' structure, content, and assessment activities.

Results: From 2016 to 2022, 568 students completed ISP, and 108 completed EIC from 2019-2022. For ISP, course revisions were progressively made to prioritise imaging skills and clinically significant knowledge, to balance the course load against the busy clinical lives of the students, and to offer a flexible learning experience that could be tailored to clinical interests. The design and delivery of EIC were informed by experiences delivering ISP, including the importance of clear learning outcomes and stakeholder consultation. Student and faculty engagement in an online learning environment presents an ongoing challenge. Both units continue to attract strong enrolments within their respective programs.

Conclusions: ISP and EIC are unique Master-level units of study for medical practitioners in the Australian tertiary setting, given that their sole focus is improving non-radiologist clinicians' medical imaging knowledge and skills. By prioritising high-yield and clinically relevant learning experiences, the educational team hopes that engagement with radiology as a specialty will benefit from these units' continued delivery and refinement.