UNMC’s Diagnostic Radiology Residency Program ranks near the top 10 percent of all programs in oral exam pass rate. From 1997 to 2001, UNMC residents ranked 20th out of 196 programs nationally among those taking the American Board of Radiology oral exam for the first time. During that same time, 18 of UNMC’s 20 residents passed on the first attempt.
“This is the first time we know how our program stacks up nationally,” said Craig Walker, M.D., chairman and professor of UNMC’s radiology department. “It speaks well of the commitment from faculty to teach residents, as well as the effort of the residents.”
This is the first time the American Board of Radiology has released the comparative rankings. In the past, programs were notified only of their individual resident performance. The rankings provide general comparative data. They do not specifically list radiology programs in order of their ranking.
The oral exam, generally taken at the end of the resident’s fourth year, is the final step for board certification. Before taking the oral exam, residents must take and pass written diagnostic radiology and physics exams.
The oral examination consists of film interpretation and problems regarding the clinical application, including patient management. Using electronic displays of images, residents are examined in 10 subjects: musculoskeletal, cardio-pulmonary, gastrointestinal tract, genitourinary tract, neuroradiology, vascular and interventional, nuclear radiology, ultrasound, pediatric radiology and breast radiology.
UNMC has approximately four radiology residents per year take the oral exam.