Discussion: Choosing a Medical Internship Focus in Radiology (Radiology Clinical Clerkship Decision)

Moses Flash, MD, a radiology resident and future interventional radiology fellow at the University of Pennsylvania, is advocating for early and consistent exposure of medical students to radiology before their clinical clerkship.

Dr. Flash, who is also an associate professor of radiology at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, believes that radiology is a valuable addition to any medical specialty. He emphasizes the importance of clerkships in diagnostic radiology being designed to be relevant and suitable for all medical students.

Dr. Flash's journey to radiology was not what he expected. After attending Williams College and Harvard Medical School, he applied to between 60 and 80 programs before landing at the University of Pennsylvania. His internship was at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City, and he is currently pursuing his residency at Penn Medicine.

During his studies, Dr. Flash was particularly committed to promoting collaboration between radiology and other medical specialties. He believes that greater collaboration with departments like internal medicine and surgery is beneficial. Radiologist-led standardized interactive teaching sessions are being introduced into established clerkship curricula to facilitate this collaboration.

Dr. Flash and his co-author, Jha, discuss the development of individualized and fine-tuned "search patterns" as a routine approach to imaging studies. However, he cautions radiology trainees against mindlessly filling in standardized templates. Instead, he suggests that they use these templates as a guidepost in learning.

When it comes to generational attitudes, Dr. Flash and Jha note that there may be differences when it comes to using standardized templates and free text reporting. Despite these differences, Dr. Flash emphasizes the importance of maintaining a high level of detail and accuracy in all reports.

Dr. Flash's interests extend beyond radiology. He is a fan of Christopher Nolan films, traveling, learning foreign cuisines, playing basketball, exercising, and barbering. He chose Philadelphia for his radiology residency due to its proximity to family, flights, and safety.

Preparing for a radiology clerkship, according to Dr. Flash, involves fielding interviews and studying effectively. He advises medical students to familiarize themselves with the basics of radiology, understand the clinical context, and be prepared to ask insightful questions.

Dr. Flash sees radiology as a very cerebral field. The mental fatigue in radiology, he says, depends on the day, the rotation, and the number of imaging studies. Despite the challenges, he remains passionate about his work and the potential it holds for improving patient care.

Discussion: Choosing a Medical Internship Focus in Radiology (Radiology Clinical Clerkship Decision)