Radiology in the Undergraduate Medical Curriculum: The Student Perspective

Abstract

<b><i>Objective:</i></b> Despite the importance of radiology in the diagnosis and management of patients, studies suggest that medical graduates exhibit a minimal level of radiology knowledge. This study aimed to assess the satisfaction of Kuwait’s medical students with the radiology teaching and their confidence in their knowledge regarding basic radiological principles, as well as their views and suggestions for adequate teaching time and pattern of radiology teaching at the undergraduate level. <b><i>Subjects and Methods:</i></b> This cross-sectional study was conducted among medical students in Kuwait University. The study employed a questionnaire, which aimed to assess the students’ perception of the current radiological teaching approach. Ethical approval was obtained, and descriptive analysis was conducted using SPSS. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Ninety-one percent of the 451 participants believed that the radiologist is an important part of the medical team. Ninety-seven percent of them believed that having a grasp of general radiological concepts is essential for clinical practice. More than half of the participants (55%) believed that the amount of radiology teaching they receive is inadequate. Most students claimed to lack the radiological skills that a competent doctor should own, such as reading X-rays, CTs, and MRIs. Most students chose hospital-based and problem-based learning sessions as their most desired methods for radiology learning. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> Radiology is an essential part of modern medicine. Adequate exposure to radiological techniques and adequate time to radiological teaching must be allocated to students during their undergraduate medical curriculum to improve the proper management of patients.