FREE ONLINE RADIOLOGY INTERPRETATION COURSE

A medical school handbook states...
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When the clinical attachments are complete the competent student should be able to:-

• Interpret basic data from investigations e.g. common abnormalities in chest X-rays [and ECG’s, simple biochemical, bacteriological and haematological results.]

A good resource and very comprehensive course for the basis of x-ray interpretation is provided by the University of Virginia (US), free of charge. It is a comprehensive online course which can be invaluable when presented with common abnormal (and normal!) chest radiographs.


Furthermore, for those of you interested, there are also courses on the website for various CT modalities like brain, chest, abdomen, pelvis and limbs although this is perhaps beyond the purview of the final MBBS exam. Although, having said that, in my final paper I got a slice of a CT scan and asked to identify certain structures in the mediastinum.... 

I would advise you to set aside three hours or so and go through the introduction, technique, anatomy and interpretation sections of chest x-rays BEFORE you start looking at these with reference to real patients. This will give you an excellent basis for interpretation - then you can all teach me something new!!

I realise that many of you have spent time doing this already, so obviously tailor this to your own personal learning needs. If you have had a method of doing it that has worked since second year then perhaps don't go about trying to re-invent the wheel, but this really is a phenomenal resource. 

Bear in mind - all this is not just exam related. You will be shown countless radiology pictures during your foundation posts and perhaps it will save a few jaw-drop moments...

For example, I did the CT brain course on the same website for my neurosurgical job in FY2 and it has stood me in excellent stead ever since.

CLICK HERE (UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA)