Tablets Make Good Educational Tool for Radiology Residents

Use of tablet devices, such as iPads, by radiology residents would enhance their education, allowing them to keep up with evolving technology, said researchers in a study published in the June issue of the Journal of the American College of Radiology.

Researchers conducted a 12-question survey of 308 radiology residents. The survey assessed the type of institution attended, levels of training, amounts of allocated book funds, residents’ study habits, access to portable devices, and use of electronic and print radiology resources.
According to the results, 74 percent of the residents owned smartphones and 37 percent owned tablet devices.

Although the residents said they spent an equal amount of time using print materials and electronic resources, 81 percent of the respondents believed they would spend more time learning radiology if provided with a tablet device.

Aiham C. Korbage, MD, a co-author of the study, acknowledged that more research must be done to objectively compare the amount of time spent using electronic devices for studies, but said they are promising tools.

“Tablet technology has the potential to enhance the way radiology is studies and taught,” he said. “Benefits, such as more study time, may be obtained by radiology programs that incorporate tablet devices into the education of their residents.”