Our categorical diagnostic radiology residency training is a five year program, composed of one clinical year of internal medicine, followed by four years of diagnostic radiology. Interns spend 2 months in the radiology department and have an additional elective month. Residents who match into our diagnostic radiology program, automatically match into the intern year of internal medicine at MaineHealth Maine Medical Center (MHMMC). The 4-year diagnostic radiology curriculum consists of:
- Neuroradiology: 16 weeks, approximately 4 weeks each year, with residents developing competency in CT, MRI, and neurologic procedures such as lumbar puncture and myelography.
- Musculoskeletal radiology: 12 weeks, approximately 4 weeks each in the first 3 years, with residents developing competency in CR, CT, MRI, and MSK procedures such as arthrography.
- Cardiothoracic radiology: 12 weeks, approximately 4 weeks each in the first 3 years, with residents learning chest CR, CT, lung screening CT, cardiac CT, and cardiac MRI. Additional elective time is possible in cardiac CT and MRI.
- Body Imaging and GI/GU: 12 weeks, approximately 4 weeks each in the first 3 years, with residents learning body CT and MR, including oncology care, MR urography, and imaged guided body procedures.
- Fluoroscopy: 8 weeks, including 4 weeks in the first year and 4 weeks in the second or third year, with residents developing competency in a broad range of fluoroscopy procedures including esophagrams, upper GI exams, upper GI with small bowel follow through, modified barium swallows, diagnostic enemas, fistulograms, defatography, and sialograms.
- Breast radiology: 12 weeks, including 4 weeks in the 2nd through 4th years of radiology, with residents learning screening and diagnostic mammography and breast ultrasound, ductography, and breast MRI. Residents also receive procedural training in US, stereotactic, and MRI guided biopsies.
- Ultrasonography: 8 weeks, including dedicated time to learn hands-on US with image acquisition and simulation training. Residents also have additional training in US during their OB, body, pediatrics, and emergency rotations.
- Maternal fetal medicine/OB ultrasound: 4 weeks, usually during the first or second year, residents learn OB ultrasound at our dedicated maternal fetal medicine clinic, with the option for additional elective time in OB ultrasound.
- Nuclear medicine: 16 weeks, approximately 4 weeks per year, with training in all forms of nuclear medicine including PET-CT, cardiac imaging, physics, and I-131 administration. Residents graduate with authorized user eligibility.
- Vascular and Interventional Radiology (VIR): Residents in diagnostic radiology spend at least 8-12 weeks on the interventional radiology service, where they develop competency in US, CT, and fluoroscopic guided procedures. Depending on their personal goals, they can participate in complex vascular cases such as TIPS, treatment of peripheral vascular disease, and/or interventional oncology treatments, or they can focus on more basic procedures such as image guided drain placement and biopsies.
- Research: All residents receive at least 4 weeks of dedicated research time in their second and/or third years of training, with the option for additional research time during the senior elective. All residents completed at least one scholarly project and one quality improvement project with a faculty mentor.
- Emergency Radiology and Late Shift: Residents spend 8 weeks in emergency radiology in their first year, working closely with our emergency medicine staff, and in preparation for call responsibilities. Over the course of their 4 years, residents have spend approximately 12 weeks on a late stay shift, where they work from approximately 12pm to 9pm Monday through Friday in the emergency room, directly alongside an attending radiologist.
- Night float: Residents cover night float in the emergency department for 12 weeks, or approximately 4 weeks per year in the 2nd through 4th years. They provide preliminary image interpretation, with final attending interpretation on all cases. Attending radiologist are always available by telephone.
- Pediatric radiology at Boston Children's Hospital: Residents spend 13 weeks at Boston Children's Hospital in their 2nd year of radiology training. Our department pays for an apartment in the Longwood Galleria, next to Boston Children's Hospital, including a parking space. For many residents this special training is a highlight of their residency.
- Radiology Pathology Correlation course at the American Institute for Radiologic Pathology in Washington, D.C. (AIRP): Residents spend 4 weeks at the AIRP course in Washington DC during their 3rd year of training. Again, a stipend is provided for travel and housing in Washington DC, and this course is considered a training highlight for many residents.
- Elective/Senior mini fellowship: Residents have 28 weeks of elective time during their 4th year to pursue a mini fellowship which is geared toward their individual professional goals.
- Vacation: Radiology residents have 16 weeks of vacation, 4 weeks per year.