The primary mode for resident education is on-the-job teaching at the PACS workstation during the sub-specialty rotations.

A core curriculum approach is applied in order to provide comprehensive coverage of important topics for resident training. This lecture/seminar schedule is on a two-year repeating basis.

Teaching in these topics is provided by:

• 07:15 Attending led case conference each day

• 12:00 Attending led conference each day

• Chairman's Teaching File Conference (15 cases per year provided by each resident)

• Radiologic-Pathologic Correlation Conference
• Joint ENT/Neuroradiology Conference
  

• Each resident gives one resident conference per year

• Every resident attends the American Institute for Radiologic Pathology; tuition and apartment are provided

• Physics is integrated into conferences as well as residents being assigned specific modules based on rotation
  

• Interactive educational websites and software are available for independent learning

An individual educational fund is provided for each resident for books and meetings. 

Diagnostic Radiology Residency (1737420A0)

The Diagnostic Radiology Residency Program is 4 years in duration. Seven positions are offered each year.  All rotations are typically 4-week blocks, and, with the exception of the study period at the American Institute for Radiologic Pathology, all training is at the University of Virginia Medical Center.

The department is organized by organ system (i.e., GU imaging, musculoskeletal imaging) as much as possible. Residents rotate through each of these sub-specialty areas.

We use a night float system to provide coverage for the ER and in-house backup. The more senior residents perform Body CT and Ultrasound exams. Upper level call is evenings in-house, nights at home, via pager.

Night float are 4 two-week blocks completed during the 2nd and 3rd years.  Residents are released from duty in compliance with the ACGME duty hours rules.

Radiology Research Residency (1737420A1)

The radiology research residency program accepts one resident per year. The goals of the program are to become a competent general radiologist in 4 years while gaining special training and experience in performing hypothesis-driven radiology research, in anticipation of a career in academic radiology.

The 4-year training program is structured to meet the American Board of Radiology and Mammography Quality Standards Act requirements for a standard diagnostic radiology residency in addition to providing extra experience in radiology research. A sample 4 year rotation schedule may be: 3 Chest/Demos, 3 Musculoskeletal, 2 Body CT, 2.5 Uroradiology, 2 Ultrasound, 2 MRI/Neuro, 3 GI/Fluoroscopy, 2 Pediatrics, 2 ER, 1 Body MRI, 1 Nuclear Cardiology, 5 Nuclear Medicine, 2 Mammography, 1 Head CT, 2 Neuroradiology/ Angiography/ Myelography, 2 Angiography/Interventional, 1.5 AIRP, 13 Research, 2 Night Float.

During the first year of residency, the research resident is expected to identify a research area of interest and faculty mentor, as well as submit a research grant proposal, while taking clinical rotations. Focused research emphasizes on performing clinical and/or basic science research and taking coursework designed to improve one's research skills.  Blocks of protected research time is created throughout the four years combined with clinical rotations.

Earning an M.S. is strongly encouraged. Most research residents enroll in the Health Evaluation Sciences one-year Master's Program, although another M.S. relevant to the resident's research may also be valuable (e.g. Biomedical Engineering). The Health Evaluation Sciences program is administered by both the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences and the School of Medicine.

An example of classes taken within the Clinical Investigation Track (one of several tracks) of the Health Evaluation Sciences Program: Introduction to Biostatistics, Fundamentals of Epidemiology, Statistical Computing and Graphics, Health Care Economics, Health Care Policy and Management, Biostatistical Modeling, Clinical Trials Methodology, Health Technology and Outcomes Evaluation, and Thesis. These classes give excellent instruction in statistics/statistical software, research methodology/design, critically analyzing the biomedical literature, health care policy and economics, and outcomes research. However, each research resident is encouraged to tailor his/her educational experience to fit his/her particular needs and interests, under consultation with faculty members and the chairperson.

Angiography & Interventional: The Clinical Pathway for Vascular and Interventional Radiology Training (1737420C0)

Introduction: The primary intent of this residency in Vascular and Interventional Radiology (VIR) is to provide a broader and more in-depth experience in the clinical diagnosis and care of patients with diseases commonly treated by an Internventional Radiologist. The secondary intent of the pathway is to allow the trainee an opportunity to become more familiar with and/or participate in research to further the field of vascular and interventional radiology.

Training: We offer two VIR track positions each year. The total period of training is a six-year combined training. 

• Year one is spent in UVA's Department of Surgery
• Years two to five in our Diagnostic Radiology residency
• Year six in our ACGME accredited VIR fellowship program
  
  

Clinical Radiology Training: Thirty-two months of full-time clinical radiology is required including 3 months of VIR during the PGY-2 and/or PGY-3 year. Because of the attenuation of the traditional clinical radiology training, it will be imperative that the Radiology residency and VIR Fellowship program directors make annual evaluations regarding the residents progress in clinical radiology. Diagnostic clinical radiology training will be obtained during PGY-2, 3, and 5.

Vascular and Interventional Radiology Training: Nine months of sub-specialty training in VIR are required during the PGY-4 year. These nine months could include training in the noninvasive peripheral vascular lab, MRA, CTA, neuroangiography, neurointerventions, cardiac MRI, or VIR.

Research/VIR Clinical Training: Seven months will be dedicated to research and clinical training in areas relevant to the practice of VIR (i.e. consult service for cardiology, nephrology, vascular surgery, oncology, gastroenterology). Of these seven months, the trainee shall have a minimum of 3 months dedicated to basic or clinical research activities.

Call Service
During the VIR rotations in the PGY-4 year and non-radiology clinical training rotations during the PGY-2 through 5 years, call responsibility for the trainee will be determined by the Residency and Fellowship Program Directors.