Following up on the previous blog, which primarily relates to setting up a successful, regular teaching program, this post will focus on expansion.
Having got this activity up and running with good support from faculty and residents, we feel comfortable that we are not politically aligned and are open to working with the best teachers in the area to come and speak to the group. This has been done at a minimal cost with maximum benefit to a large number of residents. At this time, the radiology department at the central institution takes on the responsibility of booking an auditorium and visiting faculty come by their own volition and cost. The only cost we take on is that of photocopying the feedback forms. It is important that we align with the radiology departments in the city as we are looking for their support and guidance as we grow.
The next obvious step in this activity is growth. While the success of our initial foray might enthuse us to dive headlong into many other projects, one must exercise caution to prevent dilution of ones energies. At present, it is our feeling that although residents want more and we are becoming increasingly popular we must only take on what we can deliver. A simple rule of thumb that we have taken is that we only start a new activity once the previous has existed for a reasonable amount of time (6-8 months) and is functioning on it’s own. At the same time, one must continue to malke efforts to ensure seamless running of the previous efforts by incorporating a few more enthusiastic members.
Our feedback shows that residents are interested in a weekly educational activity. Finding faculty is the challenge! Based on available resources, we have proceeded to add to this, the stepchild “non-bone club” which deals with confusing or less well taught/understood topics. Over the last two months, we have had two very successful sessions; one on radiographic evaluation of the oesophagus another on the temporal bone. We plan to add to this, topics such as neonatal chest, mammography, nuclear medicine, neck spaces etc. It seems this too will be on its way.
These sessions have been developed slightly differently from the bone radiology sessions. As sometimes faculty may find it difficult to get a talk together, we requested them to involve their residents. In this case, the residents developed and delivered the talks with guidance from the supervising faculty. This allows residents access to an expert in the field as well as an opportunity to speak in a public forum. In our brief experience, residents have performed extremely well and learnt a tremendous amount from these experiences.
An additional area that seems to be under-served by our educational system is that of radiology/imaging physics. Our next and most ambitious plan is to foray into imaging physics in 12 monthly sessions. We are hoping to teach the basics of x ray and CT physics in about 4-5 sessions, ultrasound in 3 sessions and MRI in about 4 sessions. Obviously, finding faculty willing to take on this challenge is difficult but I am sure it is doable. Furthermore, as we have committed ourselves to quality, we are not keen to start something before we are sure we can do a good job with it.
If anyone has suggestions or wants to become involved with the Mumbai Haad Sena (literally translated Mumbai Bone Army), please feel free to e-mail mumbaihaadsena@gmail.com.
I hope all of you work on developing your own little armies. The way imaging is growing we need a good strong one for the future!
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