Medical Student Clerkships

We offer two M4 elective clerkships for interested students: Diagnostic Radiology and Appropriate Imaging Utilization.

Our Introduction to Diagnostic Radiology course is a 4-week rotation for students interested in radiology residency and/or an imaging-rich elective. The goal of this rotation is to introduce medical students to the field of radiology and prepare interested students for radiology residency. This rotation includes weekly clinical experiences in different subspecialty reading rooms as well as learning labs. Learning labs will include self-directed asynchronous learning material, didactic lectures with attending physicians, and unknown cases via PACS. In addition, students will review MRI and contrast safety as well as practice radiology skills, including ultrasound scanning and ultrasound-based procedures. Students will present an interesting case the final week of the rotation as well as complete the ACR STARS exam.

Our Appropriate Imaging Utilization course is a 4-week elective for M4 students not going into radiology. The goal of this rotation is to review ACR appropriateness criteria and learn how to interact with the Radiology Department. Weekly learning labs will include self-directed asynchronous learning materials and ACR TEACHES vignettes reviewing ACR appropriateness criteria for common clinical indications. In addition, students will rotate through two subspecialty reading rooms of their choice. Students will learn the role of the radiologist in the care of patients undergoing imaging evaluation. In addition, students will review MRI and contrast safety as well as practice radiology skills, including radiograph interpretation, ultrasound scanning, and ultrasound-based procedures.

Outside students can apply for our Diagnostic Radiology, Interventional Radiology, and Appropriate Imaging Utilization MS4 rotations on VSAS.

Medical Student Externship

The radiology externship is directed by Kirk Miller, DO, and provides senior medical students at KU with an opportunity to interact directly with faculty and senior residents. Students receive further education in radiology, beyond what is available in the pre-clinical curriculum and in the standard four-week clerkship.

Each extern will be paired with a senior resident physician. The extern will meet regularly with their resident mentor for educational activities which include at least five on-call shifts, three shadowing experiences during normal operational hours, one mentoring session outside the department, and a radiology case presentation. Several group meetings and social events, which include all the externs and their resident mentors, will be held during the externship.

Third year medical students at KU are invited to apply for the externship, and applications typically go out in January. The externship is an eight-month-long commitment from late February through October.

Medical Student Research

If you are interested in doing radiology research, please fill out our research interest form.

Learning Lab

The KU Rad Learning Lab for residents and medical students opened in July 2023. The space is equipped with 8 PACS light monitors, a Siemens ultrasound machine, and multiple procedural devices. THis physical space in the radiology department facilitates interactive learning via a flipped classroom and small group team-based learning. In addition to medical student training in radiology, the Learning Lab offers opportunities for residents as teachers as well as interdepartmental imaging-based programs.

For more information, please contact:

Sherry Bassett
Clerkship Coordinator
sbassett@kumc.edu