INCREASING MEDICAL-STUDENT INTERACTION - THE RADIOLOGY PASSPORT

Rationale and Objectives. A pocket-sized booklet and learning aid, the ''Radiology Passport,'' was introduced into the radiology clerkship. A study was devised to assess the effectiveness of the Radiology Passport on the clinical interaction of junior medical students during their required 2-week clerkship. Methods. The Radiology Passport contained the student's identification picture and a list of teaching points to be learned in each subspecialty station area. The Radiology Passport was given to alternating groups of junior medical students to be carried during their 2-week clerkship. All students were given a pre- and posttest with questions relating specifically to the clinical stations. In addition, results of a standardized course evaluation designed by the dean's office of the medical school were analyzed. The groups with and without Radiology Pasports were then compared. Results. The groups carrying the Radiology Passports had significant improvement on their posttest scores compared with the nonpassport group. In addition, there was a significant increase in the perceived interaction with residents and faculty, instructor feedback, the overall quality of learning, and the amount of time the students acturally spent in the department over the 2 weeks. Conclusion. The Radiology Passport is an easy, inexpensive learning aid that improves the quality of education and clinical interaction during the radiology clerkship.