Teaching the millennial radiology resident: applying a five-step 'microskills' pedagogy

ABSTRACT

Radiology is a unique medical specialty that focuses on image interpretation and report generation with limited patient contact. Resident read-out sessions with teaching are a quintessential part of reporting workflow practices in teaching institutions. However, most radiologist-educators do not have formal training in teaching and learning experiences vary. The five-step 'microskills' model ('one-minute preceptor' technique) developed by Neher is an easily adopted teaching model that complements the workflow of the typical read-out session, and can be utilised by radiologists of varied teaching experience and seniority. The steps are (a) get a commitment; (b) probe for supporting evidence; (c) teach general rules; (d) reinforce what was done right; and (e) correct mistakes. Feedback is important to the model and accounts for two out of five microskills. The teaching model emphasises knowledge application and establishing relevance, which is useful in engaging the millennial resident. It is easily assimilated and applied by radiologist-educators.