Timeframe
The Imaging Physics Residency is designed to be 24 months, but an additional 12 months of research could added depending on funding. However, any additional activities deemed non-clinical (e.g., attending courses to meet the program admission prerequisites, medical leave) may require additional time. The residency training will include instruction in both clinical and technical areas of imaging physics for all imaging modalities, as well as assignments in teaching, clinical quality improvement projects, and administrative activities.
Rotations and Practical Skills
The residency includes rotations through clinical and technical modules of imaging physics, most lasting two months. The resident will be evaluated on competencies within each of the modules, with pass/fail criteria for each module clearly indicated. The following is a list of the rotation modules (in no particular order):
- Projection Radiography
- Mammography
- Fluoroscopy
- Computed Tomography
- Radiation Protection
- Ultrasound
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging
- Display
- Informatics
- Nuclear Medicine
During these clinical rotations, the resident's progress is monitored by the rotation's direct mentor and reviewed by the Program Director during periodic meetings. At the conclusion of each rotation, a comprehensive formal review will be conducted by the mentor of the rotation along with the Program Director. Each review includes an oral exam along with examination of the resident's portfolio, which consists of equipment evaluation reports, competencies achieved, and a bibliography of references.
Didactic Component
In addition to reviewing literature during each clinical rotation, residents participate in educational events in the academic medical center. Residents are expected to attend physics related seminars, lectures, and presentations. Some of the lectures include the hospital’s Radiology Grand Rounds (covering interesting case reviews by radiologists) and the weekly Medical Physics Seminar Series in the Fall and Spring semesters (covering topics related to imaging physics). The university also sponsors multiple lecture series dedicated to medical physics related topics. Residents are also encouraged to attend the medical physics thesis defense presentations. Residents also have the opportunity to conduct presentations for clinical staff on radiation safety topics, implementation of new technology, and other clinical topics. Residents are required to complete the RSNA/AAPM Online Modules on Ethics and Professionalism during their first-year of residency.
Clinical Quality Improvement Projects
Residents have the opportunity to become involved in medical physics related research projects. The RAI Labs research groups meet regularly, and residents are able to sit-in on the meetings and participate on an as-needed basis depending on the clinical relevance of the topic. Also closely associated with CIPG is the CVIT, a National Center for Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering supported by the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB) and operated at Duke University.
Remedial Coursework
The Imaging Physics Residency program maintains an agreement with the Duke University Medical Physics Graduate Program that allows residents to audit medical physics courses; they may be provided with lecture materials for self-directed study if required. Resident are required to address any deficiencies in their competencies in any area of imaging physics through this resource. Fulfillment of these deficiencies may extend the residency beyond the clinical training. Any courses required to fulfill deficiencies will be clearly defined at the beginning of their resident experience.