Musculoskeletal Radiology Fellowship

The objectives of the Musculoskeletal (MSK) Radiology Fellowship are to:

• Educate fellows in the advanced interpretation of radiography, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), Nuclear Medicine/ PET and ultrasound examinations of the musculoskeletal system and in the performance of fluoroscopy, ultrasound and CT guided procedures
• Educate fellows in the biology, treatment and complications of neoplastic and acquired musculoskeletal diseases, particularly as they are reflected in musculoskeletal imaging studies and procedures
• Provide an opportunity for clinical education and academic research using the clinical material and resources of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, St. Luke’s Episcopal Hospital and Memorial Hermann Hospital in an integrated program

Fellows must have completed an ACGME approved (or equivalent) residency training program in diagnostic radiology. Selection will be supervised by the program directors of musculoskeletal radiology, with the consultation of other faculty members in the section. Materials solicited for review will include a CV, medical school transcripts, residency program director’s recommendation, three other letters of reference and a personal statement. Interviews will be required. 

Dictations

Dictations must be concise. Think before you speak, so the report is short, logical, telegraphic and useful. It must not be wordy. Use only pertinent positives or negatives, with no junk. Give a firm opinion. If no firm opinion is possible, state why not. Provide direction to the referring physician as appropriate.

Additional Requirements

Answer telephone and provide consultation as appropriate. Redirect calls as necessary. Host any unexpected guests and introduce them to the activities of the MSK service. MSK procedure protocoling is a vital part of MSK practice, Fellows will protocol cases and assist others in learning this skill.

Reading Recommendations

Fellows arrive with variable prior experience and knowledge. Each is expected to conscientiously seek to broaden their knowledge of MSK anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology. Faculty will identify learning opportunities and give direction for improvement with follow-up. Fellows are expected to be dedicated to continuous self-improvement and participate in the many on site conferences, self-learning activity and teaching files.

Presentations

Faculty and fellows will spontaneously share case material of educational benefit. Daily sharing of case material is the norm along with weekly clinical conference with MSK radiologist, Orthopaedics, Sarcoma and Myeloma.

Musculoskeletal Imaging Fellows Research Papers

The fellow will develop a research a project with guidance from a MSK faculty member. It is the responsibility of the fellow to identify a project early in the year and to complete a potentially publishable paper by the end of the year.

Teaching

Teaching on this service consists of weekly multidisciplinary clinical conferences, focus topic review with faculty and apprenticeship workstation clinical review activities. Teaching occurs primarily at the workstation. The fellow reviews individual examinations and prepares to explain the findings, interpretations and next steps to the selected faculty member. A similar method is used for preparation of clinical conference cases. The faculty member provides assessment, teaching and final approval of content. The resident performs the dictation.

Spontaneous additional teaching may occur at any time during the rotation. Mostly, this will occur at the workstation and will be derived from historical electronic files and sharing of cases during the day of our routine reading.

The fellow is encouraged to take advantage of any didactic lectures that may be scheduled during the MSK rotation.

Feedback

Feedback is at the core of an apprenticeship system and occurs on a case by case basis in a continuous manner as well as on periodical intervals or the fellow may request more formal feedback at any time to be provided by a faculty member.

The fellow is responsible for “in house call” on a rotating basis, but no more than every third or fourth weekend. Physical requirements are those related to visual perception, communication and manual dexterity.

Faculty will provide supervision on all cases interpreted by the fellow. Interpretations and Procedures will initially be closely supervised; however, it is expected that less faculty involvement will be required as the year progresses and the fellow becomes more independent.

Evaluation of the fellows will be performed twice during the year, by means of a standardized form with comments. The program director will meet with the fellow informally to discuss his or her progress. The fellow will also evaluate the program at the end of the year and discuss his or her experience with the program.

The average duration of the program will be one year.