Radiology and the medical student: do increased hours of teaching translate to more radiologists?

Chew, C., O'Dwyer, P. J. and Young, D. (2021) Radiology and the medical student: do increased hours of teaching translate to more radiologists? BJR Open, 3(1), 20210074. (doi: 10.1259/bjro.20210074)

Abstract

Objectives: The UK has a shortage of Radiologists to meet the increasing demand for radiologic examinations. To encourage more medical students to consider Radiology as a career, increased exposure at undergraduate level has been advocated. The aim of this study was to evaluate if formal Radiology teaching hours at medical school had any association with the number of qualified Radiologists joining the General Medical Council Specialist Register. Methods: Total number of doctors joining the GMC Specialist Register as Clinical Radiologists, and those with a primary medical qualifications awarded in Scotland, was obtained from the GMC (2010–2020). Graduate numbers from all 4 Scottish Medical Schools (2000–2011) were also obtained. Hours of Radiology teaching for medical schools in Scotland were obtained from validated AToMS study. Results: Two hundred and twenty three (6.6%) of 3347 Radiologists added to the GMC Specialist Register between 2010 and 2020 received their primary medical qualification (PMQ) from Scottish Universities. The number of Radiologists from Scottish Universities joining the GMC specialist register was 2.6% of the total number of Scottish Medical Graduates. There was no association between the number of hours (Range 1–30) Radiology was taught to medical students and the number that joined the specialist register as Radiologists (p = 0.54 chi square trend). Conclusion: Increased exposure to Radiology teaching does not influence medical students’ decision to take up Radiology as a career. While continued Radiology exposure remains important, other strategies are required in both the short and long term to ensure radiology services are maintained without detriment to patients.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: O'Dwyer, Professor Patrick and Chew, Cindy
• Authors: Chew, C., O'Dwyer, P. J., and Young, D.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing
• Journal Name: BJR Open
• Publisher: British Institute of Radiology
• ISSN: 2513-9878
• ISSN (Online): 2513-9878
• Published Online: 26 November 2021
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2021 The Authors
• First Published: First published in BJR Open 3(1): 20210074
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons licence