Radiology Training for Medical Students | NYU Langone Health

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Department of Radiology Education Radiology Training for Medical Students

Radiology Training for Medical Students

Imaging is an integral component of patient care and provides a unique lens through which to view and understand human anatomy and pathophysiology. At NYU Grossman School of Medicine, we recognize that all medical students require a fundamental knowledge of imaging and the role it plays in diagnosing and managing illness.

The Department of Radiology embraces the challenge of continually expanding our approach to imaging education within NYU Grossman School of Medicine’s MD degree program. We are actively involved in integrating imaging training into all facets of the MD curriculum.

Notably, our medical students have transitioned to learning gross anatomy without the dissection of human cadavers, the method traditionally used to teach this complex subject. NYU Grossman School of Medicine’s Living Anatomy course is one of only a few in the nation that uses modern tools like virtual and augmented reality, combined with cross-sectional imaging and three-dimensional cinematic renderings of CT and MRI scans provided by our radiologists, to teach this foundational knowledge.

Education and research opportunities for medical students are overseen by Kira Melamud, MD, director of preclinical medical student education in radiology, and Jeffrey B. Alpert, MD, director of clinical medical student education in radiology.

Preclerkship Training in Radiology

Students gain early exposure to imaging technology, a vital component of clinical skill throughout a physician’s career. During the preclerkship stage of the MD curriculum, imaging training is woven into the Living Anatomy course, systems-based modules, and preclerkship orientation sessions for first- and second-year medical students, better preparing doctors-in-training for future encounters with these technologies.

Living Anatomy Modules

Clinical imaging is incorporated into the Living Anatomy modules, four-week courses that provide medical students with an early introduction to normal, variant, and pathologic anatomy. The imaging components emphasize cross-sectional imaging with a special focus on CT and MRI. Students gain exposure to radiography, sonography, and advanced three-dimensional renderings and techniques.

Our radiology training also includes a lecture series, small-group case sessions, and hands-on, faculty-led laboratories. Participants have access to a picture archiving and communications system (PACS), a type of secure technology that healthcare providers use to access and transmit electronic versions of medical images. You also complete radiology-based tasks to learn about clinical correlations between imaging findings and anatomy material covered during labs.

For questions about imaging components of the Living Anatomy course, contact Dr. Melamud at kira.melamud@nyulangone.org.

Systems-Based Pathophysiology Lectures

Department of Radiology faculty deliver a pathophysiology lecture series that further integrates clinical imaging for pulmonary, gastrointestinal, and nervous system pathology and highlights common imaging presentations for selected pathologic processes into the first- and second-year MD curriculum.

Clerkship Orientation

We maintain a strong presence in medical student education, participating in orientation for medical students as they prepare to transition to the clerkship experience. We demonstrate hands-on navigation of clinical imaging and emphasize the role of imaging findings in common pathologic entities encountered during clerkship experiences.

Clerkship Training in Radiology

Medical students participate in clinical rotations as part of selective and elective courses during stage three and stage four of our MD degree curriculum.

Radiology Selective

The radiology selective is a four-week course that builds on basic imaging concepts to promote useful interpretive skills. In addition to image interpretation, students learn about general concepts of medical imaging, including imaging appropriateness, use of contrast agents, and radiation dose reduction.

With opportunities in multiple imaging subspecialties, this course is designed to maximize both clinical experience and dedicated student teaching.

Each morning, students participate in the clinical radiology service, where they engage with patient imaging exams, imaging interpretation, and direct teaching with radiology faculty. Afternoons are dedicated to student teaching with a curated series of didactic lectures, small-group case reviews, dictation activities, and other interactive sessions.

After completing the course, students should be able to do the following:

  • determine when medical imaging is needed, and what clinical information is relevant when selecting an appropriate imaging test
  • consider patient safety, including intravenous and oral contrast administration and radiation dose
  • compare and contrast various imaging modalities, including technical limitations and cost considerations
  • demonstrate basic interpretive skills regarding “can’t miss” diagnoses commonly encountered during training
  • incorporate accurate and appropriate imaging terminology into case discussions to facilitate clear communication between physicians

For questions about the radiology selective, contact Dr. Alpert at jeffrey.alpert@nyulangone.org.

Radiology Electives

We offer electives in a variety of radiology subspecialties to provide more in-depth learning for students who have completed the prerequisite radiology selective. These two-week imaging electives are designed for more detailed review of a higher volume of imaging cases and are ideal for students with specific interest in a particular clinical specialty.

Direct teaching occurs in the radiology reading room, where students can observe and participate in interpretation of clinical imaging exams with house staff and radiology faculty. Students are encouraged to attend dedicated subspecialty and multidisciplinary conferences. Offerings also include a radiology research elective.

Radiology Student Interest Group

This student-run group organizes up to four educational events each year that include guest speakers and panel discussions on a variety of radiology topics. For more information about the radiology student interest group, contact Beatriu Reig, MD, MPH, at beatriu.reig@nyulangone.org.

Radiology Research Opportunities

With our dedicated research centers, the NYU Langone Radiology—Center for Biomedical Imaging and the Center for Advanced Imaging Innovation and Research, and more than 100 research faculty, the Department of Radiology offers medical students ample opportunity to conduct clinical, educational, and basic science research as a part of training.

Although research opportunities are available at all stages of medical student training, the department also offers two formal pathways for students to engage in research.

Radiology Summer Research Fellowship

Paid fellowships are available for first-year medical students who qualify for a federally funded work–study program. Fellows work with a faculty advisor on a scholarly research project and present findings at a medical student research symposium.

Fellows also shadow faculty in NYU Langone radiology reading rooms, within the subspecialty associated with their project. Student fellows are encouraged to attend radiology resident lectures and conferences. The application process begins in February and acceptances are announced in the spring.

Scholarly Concentration in Radiology

Students can choose to pursue a scholarly concentration in radiology, which involves 12 weeks completing a radiology research project during the final stage of the MD degree program. To begin a scholarly concentration proposal, access the Office of Medical Education form (a Kerberos ID and password are required).

Career Advising and Resources for Medical Students

Medical students curious about radiology are encouraged to contact radiology faculty to learn more about the specialty. Third-year students who are interested in radiology residency training may request a radiology faculty advisor to help navigate the residency application process. Over the course of several meetings, students and their advisors discuss topics such as specialty choice and application materials, including the personal statement and letters of recommendation.

In addition to resources offered through NYU Grossman School of Medicine, most national radiologic societies—including the Radiological Society of North America, the American College of Radiology, and the Association of University Radiologists—offer free memberships and other resources to medical students.

AMSER Henry Goldberg Medical Student Award

Each year, the Alliance of Medical Student Educators in Radiology (AMSER) and the Association of University Radiologists award up to two AMSER Henry Goldberg Medical Student Awards, an honorarium for medical students to present an abstract, poster, or electronic exhibit at the association’s annual meeting.

Pipeline Initiative for the Enrichment of Radiology Internship

The American College of Radiology offers a research internship for first-year medical students to explore the field of radiology called the Pipeline Initiative for the Enrichment of Radiology.

Medical Student Research Grant

The Radiological Society of North America offers a Medical Student Research Grant, which provides student members with funding to use toward research in the radiological sciences and medical imaging.

Contact Us

For more information about radiology training and research programs at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, contact Evelyn Espinosa, coordinator of medical student education in radiology, at evelyn.espinosa@nyulangone.org.