Medical Student Radiology Externs: Increasing Exposure to Radiology, Improving Education, and Influencing Career Choices

Purpose: The radiology externship program at the authors' institution introduces medical students to radiology using a hands-on approach and is tailored to interested third-year medical students. There are currently limited data available on whether the program increases exposure to radiology in a positive fashion and how it influences medical students' education and career choices. Methods: In September 2010, current and former externs between 2007 and 2010 were surveyed using an anonymous, Web-based survey. Results: The response rates were 100% (11 of 11) for current exrerns and 52% (15 of 29) for former externs, for an overall response rate of 65% (26 of 40). The respondents included 20 men and 5 women. The average age of respondents was 27.3 +/- 2.5 years. Forty-six percent of former externs (6 of 13) had matched to radiology residencies, whereas the remainder had matched to various surgical and nonsurgical subspecialties. Eighty-four percent (21 of 25) had overall positive ratings of the program. Ninety-two percent (23 of 25) felt they had a better understanding of which test was most appropriate to order for common indications, and 88% (22 of 25) felt that they had a better understanding of imaging contraindications. Sixty-eight percent (17 of 25) felt that they had a better understanding of risk-benefit analysis involving imaging using ionizing radiation, and 56% (14 of 25) felt more confident in discussing these matters with their patients. Conclusions: This radiology externship program increases exposure to radiology in a positive fashion, increases understanding of the appropriate use of imaging modalities and their associated clinical benefits and risks, and influences medical students' career choices. These results add to the evidence that this type of program is mutually beneficial to medical students, residents, and clinical colleagues and suggest that more medical schools and radiology departments should evaluate the feasibility of starting radiology externship programs.