Augusta University utilizes a diverse and robust educational curriculum and a resident-run call schedule. Click on the links below for more information.
Residents and faculty share the responsibility for patient care in radiology. During each clinical rotation, the faculty assigns tasks to the resident according to the resident's level of experience. The resident completes assigned tasks under supervision of the faculty and the faculty assumes final responsibility for the quality of the resident's work. The scope of activities and levels of supervision vary according to the types of activities done in each section of the department.
Residents will rotate through the following areas:
Body Imaging, Chest, Musculoskeletal Radiology, Nuclear Radiology, Pediatrics, Neuroradiology, Vascular and Interventional Radiology, Cardiac, Ultrasound (including OB and Carotid Ultrasound), Mammography, Research, and the Veterans Administration Medical Center.
Abdominal Imaging will learn the procedures and interpretation of GI fluoroscopy, GU examinations, Ultrasound studies, Body CT and Body MRI. Residents on the VA Body Imaging rotation will emphasize Body and Musculoskeletal CT, MRI, Ultrasound, and GI fluoroscopy.
Cardiovascular and Thoracic Imaging rotations include three distinct rotations: 1) Chest Radiography and Basic Cardiovascular and Thoracic Cross-Sectional Imaging. 2) Advanced Thoracic Imaging and Basic Post Processing. 3) Advanced Cardiovascular Imaging and Post Processing. During the first rotation, common and emergent conditions and typical patterns of thoracic and cardiovascular pathology are emphasized. During the second, the learner will focus on chest pathology, including interstitial lung disease, infection, malignancy, occupational disorders, and smoking, and thromboembolism. During the final rotation, the emphasis will be on CT and MRI evaluation of such pathologies as atherosclerosis, vasculitides, vascular anomalies, cardiomyopathy, structural heart disease, congenital heart disease, and aneurysm. Post processing will be taught using a variety of commercial and open access software.
Pediatric Radiology rotations include interpretation of plain films, ultrasound, CT, and MRI in the radiology suite of the Children’s Hospital of Georgia serving the Pediatric Intensive Care unit, the Neonatal Intensive Care unit, the Pediatric Emergency Room, and the Pediatric Outpatient Center. Residents also learn to perform the fluoroscopic procedures inherent to Pediatric Radiology.
Neuroradiology rotations include interpretations of the head, neck, and spine utilizing plain radiographs, CT, and MRI, including spectroscopy and advanced MRI protocols. In addition, the resident will learn CT and MRI protocoling. As the resident progresses through higher level rotations, performance and interpretation of myelography and angiography procedures will be emphasized. Exposure to interventional neuroradiology is provided with fluoroscopic lumbar punctures, myelograms, head/neck/spine biopsies, and in conjunction with neurosurgery brain/spine angiography.
Nuclear Medicine rotations include establishment of basic knowledge of radiopharmacy, nuclear physics, radiation safety, quality control, and regulatory agencies as well as routine protocols and interpretation of images including planar/SPECT imaging as well as PET/CT. Cardiac nuclear imaging is incorporated into the nuclear medicine rotation with the resident also getting exposure during the dedicated Cardiac rotation.
Vascular/Interventional Radiology rotations are done at Augusta University where the resident assists in performing and interpreting procedures, using the Augusta University Angiography Suite as the main base. Studies performed include CT/US guided biopsies/drainages, thoracentesis/paracentesis, TIPS, arterial embolization for trauma/GI bleeding/preoperative case, venous clot lysis, dialysis interventions, central line placement, chemoembolization, percutaneous ablations, and biliary and GU interventions.
Breast Imaging rotations include interpretation of mammograms, ultrasound, breast MRI, and performance of image-guided biopsy procedures. The resident will also interpret mammographic studies performed with tomosynthesis, which are obtained on nearly all screening and diagnostic studies.
Musculoskeletal Radiology allows for the interpretation of plain films, US, CT, and MRI as well as the performance of orthopedic radiological interventions. Further exposure to musculoskeletal radiology is provided during the body imaging rotation at the Veterans Administration Hospital.
Additional rotations include an elective four-week course at the American Institute of Radiologic Pathology, one Research rotation (2nd year), an OB Ultrasound rotation in the sonography suite of the OB-GYN clinic, and a dedicated Carotid US rotation performed in conjunction with neurology.
Resident rotations are 4 weeks in length. Schedules are planned so that each resident will experience a pre-determined number of rotations on each service.
All residents attend the daily morning categorical courses and midday case conferences, as well as those occasional activities scheduled for early morning or late evening. There are dedicated physics lectures twice a week, which are given by the departmental physics faculty. The Radiology Department participates in many interdisciplinary conferences and residents may be involved in preparation and presentation of these conferences. Attendance is strongly encouraged, even when the resident is not a participant. Presentations and conferences given by visiting lecturers are usually scheduled during the existing conference times. Guest lecturers also provide CORE exam reviews for the R3 residents. Post call residents are allowed to leave after the morning review of cases are not expected to return for class or conference.
Categorical courses are ongoing throughout the year and presented by the individual section faculty. The following didactic lectures play a unique and integral part of resident training.
The residents' Journal Club will be held every 2nd Friday of every other month. The residents select articles to present.
Morbidity, Mortality, and Improvement conferences will be held every 2nd Friday of every other month, alternating with Journal Club.
Renowned visiting professors are invited to speak throughout the year. This lecture series incorporates senior case conference review sessions for which resident participation plays an integral role.
Residents will have a 4-week research rotation during their second year of training. A research project and plan will be worked out with a chosen mentor. Residents are encouraged to identify a project or case study that will lead to an exhibit, a presentation at a Regional or National meeting and publication of an article. Resident research projects may also be presented at the department's Research and Education conferences. Residents also have multiple opportunities to participate in and lead research projects throughout their residency at Augusta University.
An education budget is established for each resident, to be used for the American Institute of Radiologic Pathology course. Tuition for the course is paid for by this fund as well as provision of a generous stipend for living expenses. The AIRP course is generally scheduled during the third year of residency. Funding for national meetings or special seminars may be provided upon approval by the Program Director. The Department of Radiology strongly encourages residents to participate in research and provides funding for presentation at national meetings.
In addition to the department library, a well-balanced and current resident library is maintained by the Department of Radiology for use by radiology residents. The resident library houses texts, ACR syllabi, and ACR teaching files. Residents may sign out texts for use during their radiology rotations. In addition, online resources provided for the residency include individual accounts for StatDX and RadPrimer.
First years shadow a senior resident beginning in October. In January, R1 residents begin taking transitional call under direct supervision of a senior resident. R1 residents experience gradually increased responsibility under supervision of a senior resident or attending in preparation of call beginning in July.
