Student-facilitated radiology-pathology correlation conferences: An experiential educational tool to teach multidisciplinary patient care

Purpose: The aim of this study was to provide an experiential educational activity during the fourth-year radiology clerkship through a student-facilitated radiology-pathology correlation conference held as part of the radiology departmental conference to increase students exposure to the longitudinal, multidisciplinary care of a patient and to enhance undergraduate medical education in radiology, pathology, and oncology. Methods: During July 2006, a formal radiology-pathology correlation conference held by medical students was added to the core curriculum for residents and fellows. A total of 141 students, in groups of 3 to 5, collaborated with an attending radiologist to choose an interesting case with radiology and pathology correlation and subsequently met with a fellow or attending physician in the pathology department to review the slides and pathologic diagnosis. A 1-hour departmental conference in the fourth week of the clerkship was devoted to the students presentations. Formal evaluation was performed from March 2007 to March 2008, through completion of an anonymized questionnaire evaluating the logistics and content of this educational activity. Results: One hundred seventeen students (83%) felt that the session taught them about the longitudinal care of patients. A majority of the students, 118 (84%), preferred the student-facilitated format to a resident-run conference. In addition, 124 (88%) thought that this type of activity should continue to be part of the clerkship, and 119 (84%) thought that this type of exercise would be a valuable addition to other core clerkships. Conclusion: Student-facilitated radiology-pathology departmental conferences are an effective means to provide students an opportunity to integrate imaging into the longitudinal care of patients and to expose students to the multidisciplinary approach to patient care.