On the first day of my residency, a respected staff member told me that the key to success was reading and reviewing no fewer than five teaching files a day, seven days a week. Great advice, but it took some unnecessary expenditures of money and time to determine which teaching files were appropriate in daily doses.
Last time, we tackled the top radiology textbooks. This time, we focus on the Top Teaching Files.
The data for this list was gathered using the same non-scientific, questionnaire used for Top Radiology Reads. Participants were asked to list, per subject, the top two or three radiology case-based teaching file resources, including some discussion of the reasons for their personal favorites. I found it striking that there was near-unanimity in their selections.
So what makes a teaching file excellent? One plus was having information presented in the same format you would expect to encounter during the oral boards: a systematic breakdown by the 4 Ds -- detect, describe, differential, discussion.
Some of the files adhere strictly to this format, such the Duke Radiology Case Review: Imaging, Differential Diagnosis, and Discussion. Others use little form, providing blocks of information in no specific order.
Another important element was images. You would expect images to be a staple for radiology case studies, but that’s not always true. Some products offer great comparison across multiple modalities with excellent annotations. Others offer matchbook-sized pictures and no descriptions. The clear winners were the teaching files in software format.
Finally, there is price. In short, if you want it cheap, you’ll get your money’s worth. Prices are usually directly proportional to number of desired components. Typically new texts and software products range from a little over $100 up to $250. While one of the better teaching files may lighten your wallet up, at least you won’t find yourself looking elsewhere for more information, clarification, or better images.
Don’t hesitate to condone or challenge these choices in the Resident’s Digital Community Discussion Group or the Medical Students Discussion Group.
Click here to take a look at the Top Teaching Files.
By Dr. Daniel ReidmanAuntMinnie.com contributing writer
January 8, 2003
Dr. Reidman is a radiology resident at the Madigan Army Medical Center in Tacoma, WA.
Related Reading
Top Radiology Reads, November 18, 2003
Reading is fundamental: Imaging books will rock your residency, September 4, 2003
The opinions or assertions contained herein are the private views of the author, and are not to be construed as official or as reflecting the views of the Department of Defense or AuntMinnie.com.
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