Putting together a radiology elective that takes post-grads overseas for global outreach is a complex process, but it’s worth the skills gained in confronting unfamiliar medical situations and learning to practice in resource-limited environments, according to a team of radiologists from across the country.
The recent push of the American Board of Radiology exam to 15 months after med school graduation affords year 5 residents an opportunity to explore a host of specialty interests, first author Jennifer Chang, MD, and colleagues wrote in the Journal of the American College of Radiology—and though it’s not the most common, for some radiologists that means giving back to underserved communities overseas.
“As a resource-intensive specialty, radiology has lagged behind other medical specialties in offering international electives,” Chang and co-authors said. “But opportunities are increasing for trainees to develop and apply their skills abroad.”
The team outlined the steps to a successful radiology elective—including gauging faculty and student interest, obtaining a partnership with an institution elsewhere in the world and establishing goals for both U.S. radiologists and their foreign counterparts. And stepping outside of a student’s comfort zone doesn’t even have to be physical, Chang et al. said. In lieu of a traditional traveling experience, year 5s can in some cases opt for teleradiology initiatives.
If a student does decide to go the conventional route, advisors and graduate medical education programs have to approve and back budgets, goals, class requirements and checklists. But the experience isn’t all about visas, applying for foreign medical licenses or making sure you have liability insurance, the authors said.
“If the global elective includes traveling overseas, a curriculum should be developed to help the trainee prepare for a dramatically different environment,” they wrote. “It should emphasize the importance of understanding and respecting local medical practices, including a culturally sensitive approach to medical imaging.”
Entering such a unique landscape can be a challenge, the team said, but it can also lead to more altruistic behaviors, a career of volunteerism and can be applied to domestic work, as well. Upon their return to the U.S., students can likely apply their overseas training to uncommon cases, or where resources are limited.
“International outreach during radiology residency provides residents with opportunities to learn about diseases that are infrequently encountered in the United States, practice efficiently in a resource-limited environment, fully interpret radiographs and ultrasound studies when more advanced imaging modalities are not available and gain perspective on healthcare disparities by interacting with patients and practitioners with different backgrounds,” Chang and colleagues wrote. “Depending on the type of collaboration, practitioners at the host institution benefit from assistance with image interpretation, advice about effective utilization of medical imaging and access to educational material and consultation both during and after the visit.”
After graduating from Indiana University-Bloomington with a bachelor’s in journalism, Anicka joined TriMed’s Chicago team in 2017 covering cardiology. Close to her heart is long-form journalism, Pilot G-2 pens, dark chocolate and her dog Harper Lee.