Assessment of an Introductory Cervicocerebral Catheter Angiography Learning Program: A Pilot Study

• Published in: American journal of neuroradiology : AJNR 2012-06, Vol.33 (6), p.1041-1045
• Main Authors: LUI, Y. W, FARINHAS, J. M, BASALELY, A. M, HSU, K. A, FREEMAN, K, BELLO, J. A
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Biological and medical sciences; Catheterization, Peripheral; Cerebral Angiography; Curriculum; Educational Measurement; Female; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Human; Humans; Internship and Residency - statistics & numerical data; Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects); Learning; Learning. Memory; Male; Medical sciences; Nervous system; Neuroradiography; New York; Pilot Projects; Practice s; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychology. Psychophysiology; Radiodiagnosis. Nmr imagery. Nmr spectrometry; Radiology - education; Young Adult
• ISSN: 0195-6108; 1936-959X
• DOI: 10.3174/ajnr.A2931

There is no standardized curriculum currently available at most institutions for establishing procedural competency in trainees performing cervicocerebral angiography. The purpose of this study was to evaluate a simple learning program to supplement the teaching of basic cervicocerebral angiography. An 11-session interactive curriculum was implemented covering anatomic, clinical, and radiographic topics for the novice cervicocerebral angiographer. The target learner was the neuroradiology fellow. Data were gathered regarding fellow comfort level on topics relating to cervicocerebral angiography by using a 5-point Likert scale. Improvement in scores on knowledge-based questions after completion of the curriculum was calculated (McNemar test). Trainee-perceived utility of the program was also recorded by using a 5-point Likert scale. Focus sessions were held at the completion of the curriculum to gather feedback regarding the strengths and weaknesses of the program from participants. Ten subjects were enrolled in this pilot study for 3 years. Topics where participants reported a poor initial comfort level (4 or higher) included selection of injection rates and volumes and reformation of reverse-curve catheters. Trainees demonstrated a statistically significant change in the distribution of scores of 29.3% (49.4%-78.7% correct response rate, P < .0001). The average perceived utility was 1.5 (1 = most useful, 5 = least useful). This simple learning program was a useful adjunct to the training of fellows in diagnostic cervicocerebral angiography, resulting in quantitative improvements in knowledge.