The University of Nebraska Medical Center’s Diagnostic Radiology Residency
Program ranks near the top 10 percent of all programs in oral exam pass
rate. From 1997 to 2001, UNMC residents ranked 20th out of 196 programs
nationally among those taking the American Board of Radiology oral exam
for the first time. During that same time, 18 of UNMC’s 20 residents passed
on the first attempt.
“This is the first time we know how our program stacks up nationally,”
said Craig Walker, M.D., chairman and professor of UNMC’s radiology department.
“It speaks well of the commitment from faculty to teach residents, as well
as the effort of the residents.”
This is the first time the American Board of Radiology has released
the comparative rankings. In the past, programs were notified only of their
individual resident performance. The rankings provide general comparative
data. They do not specifically list radiology programs in order of their
ranking.
The oral exam, generally taken at the end of the resident’s fourth year,
is the final step for board certification. Before taking the oral exam,
residents must take and pass written diagnostic radiology and physics exams.
The oral examination consists of film interpretation and problems regarding
the clinical application, including patient management. Using electronic
displays of images, residents are examined in 10 subjects: musculoskeletal,
cardio-pulmonary, gastrointestinal tract, genitourinary tract, neuroradiology,
vascular and interventional, nuclear radiology, ultrasound, pediatric radiology
and breast radiology.
UNMC has approximately four radiology residents per year take the oral
exam.