State of the Field: Radiology Residency Clinician Educator Tracks

Authors

Sophia R. O'Brien, University of Pennsylvania, Department of Radiology, Philadelphia PA. Electronic address: Sophia.Obrien@pennmedicine.upenn.edu.
Erin Gomez, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD.
Kirang Patel, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Department of Radiology, Dallas, TX.
Shanna Matalon, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN.
Mohamed S. Muneer, Stanford University School of Medicine, Department of Radiology, Stanford, CA.
Alex Le Lindqwister, Stanford University School of Medicine, Department of Radiology, Stanford, CA.
Rowa A. Mohamed, Yale New Haven Health, Bridgeport Hospital, Department of Radiology, Bridgeport, CT.
Margaret Lin, Stanford University School of Medicine, Department of Radiology, Stanford, CA.
Scott Simpson, University of Pennsylvania, Department of Radiology, Philadelphia PA.

Document Type

Article

Publication Title

Journal of the American College of Radiology : JACR

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Radiology resident Clinician Educator Tracks (CETs) are designed to prepare residents for a career in academia. The number and structure of United States radiology CETs is unknown. This study sought to describe the current state of the field of U.S. diagnostic radiology CETs. METHODS: This multi-method observational cross-sectional study involved an online survey and virtual semi-structured interviews. AMA Freida website search was performed in February 2024 to identify programs with radiology CETs. All identified tracks were sent the online survey and three programs with a known track or track-in-creation not listed in AMA Freida were also surveyed. Half of the surveyed CETs were randomly invited to interview. RESULTS: A total of 23 active or potentially active radiology CETs were identified, reflecting 11.6% of all U.S. diagnostic radiology residencies, of which 18 programs responded (78% response rate). CET length and structure varied. A slight majority of tracks are resident-led (9/17, 53%). Most faculty track leaders do not receive protected academic time for their role (15/17, 88%) and only half of the CETs reported sufficient institutional support. The most common key components of radiology CETs are lectures, track meetings, mentorship, and capstone projects. All CETs directly observe resident teaching. Four of 9 invited programs (44%) completed semi-structured interviews and described the importance of, and challenges with, faculty engagement and resident project completion. DISCUSSION: This study describes the state of radiology CETs, including their keys to success, challenges, and recommendations for others creating a track. Future research should investigate CETs outcomes and further explore resident experiences.

DOI

10.1016/j.jacr.2025.06.031

Publication Date

6-21-2025

Recommended Citation

O'Brien, Sophia R.; Gomez, Erin; Patel, Kirang; Matalon, Shanna; Muneer, Mohamed S.; Le Lindqwister, Alex; Mohamed, Rowa A.; Lin, Margaret; and Simpson, Scott, "State of the Field: Radiology Residency Clinician Educator Tracks" (2025). Radiology. 133.
https://scholar.bridgeporthospital.org/radiology/133

Identifier

40550300 (pubmed); 10.1016/j.jacr.2025.06.031 (doi); S1546-1440(25)00341-2 (pii)