Clerkship Program

Harvard Medical School Core Clerkship in Radiology at MGH, RD500M.3 and Harvard Medical School Elective Advanced Clerkship in Diagnostic Radiology at MGH, RD501.3

Director: Robert A. Novelline, MD
Coordinator: Barbara B. Valovic

Instructors: Robert A. Novelline, MD, 57 MGH Faculty Members and Associates, plus 18 private practice radiologists - 8 rotating through each clerkship.

Students who wish to enroll in either clerkship must contact:

Harvard Medical School - REGISTRAR
25 Shattuck Street
Bldg. A, Room 213
Boston, MA 02115-6092
Phone: 617-432-1515

website: http://www.hms.harvard.edu/registrar/

Harvard Medical School Core Clerkship in Radiology at MGH, RD500M.3

is designed to teach fundamentals of diagnostic image interpretation and clinical indications for imaging examinations and special procedures and it is required for 3rd year Harvard Medical students. This radiology clerkship is formally structured with didactic lectures, problem-based learning exercises, programmed audiovisual teaching seminars, algorithm tutorials, conferences, observation of film interpretation and observation of special procedures. Students are introduced to digital imaging, PACS and the management, storage and presentation of electronic radiologic images. Lectures on basic principles of radiation therapy are given by staff members of the Radiation Medicine Department.

Six clerkships a year meet in Founders House 2 Robbins Conference rooms and the Learning Center, 8am to 5pm Monday through Friday for one month on alternate months starting with August.

Enrollment maximum is 12 students - minimum 6.

Evaluation is determined by observation of classroom performance and by final examination.

Objectives of the core clerkship are:

Know the available diagnostic imaging examinations, their indications, contra-indications, and complications, and be familiar with costs of these imaging examinations.
Learn the most efficacious imaging examinations for a patient's particular clinical problem, including their limitations.
Be able to provide the radiologist with an appropriate clinical summary so that the imaging examination will be optimally tailored and interpreted according to the needs of the patient.
Be sensitive to the patient's needs and fears about procedures. Be familiar with the following features of imaging procedures: patient experience; preparation for the procedure; post-procedure care; radiation exposure.
Be able to identify normal anatomy and common pathologic entities on diagnostic images.
Inculcate the habit of translating radiologic images into previously learned pathologic anatomy and pathophysiology.
Be able to generate a meaningful differential diagnosis based on the combination of clinical and radiologic findings.

Harvard Medical School Elective Advanced Clerkship in Diagnostic Radiology at MGH, RD501.3

is offered full-time for one month, for a maximum of 3 students each month, except July and August, for students who have completed a core clerkship in radiology and desire another month of study of radiology. Programs are individually tailored according to students' interests and goals. Possibilities include intensive study in a particular radiology subspecialty and clinical or laboratory research. After the student has been accepted into this clerkship, a personal or telephone discussion with Dr. Novelline is required to plan each student's individual program. Evaluation is based on observation of performance.

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