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McGill.CA / Department of Diagnostic Radiology / Education / Diagnostic Radiology Residency Program

Residency Expectations by Year

Attending staff teaching a resident at a workstationGeneral Information

 The primary goal of the Diagnostic Radiology Training Program at Ï㽶ÊÓƵ is to produce well-rounded general radiologists who have been exposed to all aspects of sub-specialty Radiology training and have developed familiarity with all of the imaging techniques, procedures and technologies necessary to begin practice.  This will necessitate a thorough knowledge of the relevant anatomy, physiology and pathology, as well as its correlation with elements of medicine and surgery.  Radiation physics and biology must be well understood so that the principles can be applied to everyday practice.

Residents who have completed the program should have an appreciation of the radiologist's active role in patient care, as an integral member of the patient care team.

The importance of continuing medical self-education through up-to-date journal reading and attendance at meetings and conventions should be understood and accepted as a career-long necessity.

Research participation is a requirement and this has been introduced without limiting the clinical content of the training program.  This experience will aid graduating residents in critical evaluation of articles and studies reported in the medical literature.

Specific goals and objectives on a yearly basis are as follows:

PGY 1

The PGY 1 year is essentially a rotating internship year with eleven 4-week periods divided amongst various medical and surgical specialties.  Periods 12 and 13 are reserved for Float rotations in Radiology as well as the mandatory Epidemiology Course {See Appendix l for division of rotations}.

The purpose of this year is to give trainees the opportunity to improve and consolidate their clinical, technical and communication skills.  Rotations have been selected where radiology plays a fundamental role in diagnostics and therapeutics. This will allow the trainee to understand the nature of the relationship between a referring physician and a radiological consultant.

During this year, residents will be under the supervision of both the Departments of Surgery and Medicine, abiding by the rules and regulations set by these departments. Ultimately the resident is the responsibility of the Department of Diagnostic Radiology and answers to the Program Director.  Residents are encouraged to contact the Program Director or Resident Coordinators in Diagnostic Radiology with regard to any problems during PGY1.

Period 12 consists of a combined Radiology Float rotation with the mandatory Epidemiology course.  Period 13 consist of a Radiology Float period only. Residents will be scheduled at the Montreal General Hospital for their Float periods. Residents will participate in shadow call with a more senior resident. As well, candidates will be expected to acquire basic training in computers if not already proficient.  

PGY 2

The resident will accomplish the following: 

  • Understand the nature of the formation of radiographic images, including physical and technical aspects, patient positioning and contrast materials
  • Understand fundamental aspects of radiation protection
  • Have a sound knowledge of human anatomy with emphasis on radiological applications, both conventional and cross sectional
  • Have read from core textbooks in all general areas of radiology
  • Have learned to discuss radiologic cases in the presence of peers, teachers and clinical colleagues
  •  Have developed a sound and systematic style of reporting

PGY 3

 The resident will accomplish the following: 

  • Have studied to exam readiness in certain areas, depending on rotations (this process will be complete by year three)
  • Have gained experience and skills to the point of being regarded as a useful junior consultant by clinical colleagues
  • Be competent in the manual skills in all the rotation areas that have been covered
  • Have demonstrated some competence in evaluation of the medical literature
  • Have started an investigative project, such as clinical review or a research project, ideally to be completed by the end of year three

End of PGY4

 The resident will accomplish the following: 

  • Have completed the majority of the core rotations as required by the Royal College STRs
  • Have studied all aspects of radiology, including Physics, to an exam ready level
  • Have achieved consultative skills, and the ability to lead case discussions or present scholarly material near the level of a qualified general radiologist
  • Have achieved diagnostic and clinical skills at the level of a qualified general radiologist

End of PGY5

 The resident will accomplish the following:

  • Have gained wide practical experience in all aspects of imaging, have had an opportunity to pursue some areas of subspecialty interest, and have developed good skills in teaching junior residents and in consultations
  • Have the knowledge and skills for independent practice of radiology, including the fundamentals of Quality Assurance
  • Be prepared to embark on a career-long program of continuing self-education
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