Abstract
Purpose: Preparation for in-training and licensing examinations is a key component of radiology residency, with potential long-term career impacts. While case volume is often emphasized in training, its relationship with examination outcomes remains unclear. This study aimed to determine whether the quantity of reported cases during residency relates to performance on the American College of Radiology Diagnostic Radiology In-Training (ACR DXIT) examination and Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) in post-graduate year 4 (PGY-4) or post-graduate year 5 (PGY-5).
Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted using data from 17 radiology residents who graduated from a Canadian institution between July 2014 and July 2024. Total reporting volumes over five years of residency were obtained via mPower Clinical Analytics for Power Scribe 360. ACR DXIT percentile scores and OSCE percentages in PGY-4 and PGY-5 were collected. Statistical analyses were performed in R to assess correlations and regression patterns.
Results: No statistically significant correlations were found in either year between total reporting volumes and ACR DXIT or OSCE scores (all p-values > 0.05). Weak trends were observed but did not reach statistical significance. Similarly, non-linear models showed no significant associations.
Conclusions: Contrary to prior studies, these findings suggest no clear relationship between radiology residents’ reporting volumes and examination performance. All residents reported a relatively high volume of studies, which may have contributed to a ceiling effect. These results underscore the need for further research regarding factors influencing examination outcomes. Broader investigations into other educational variables and studying factors may help inform best practices in radiology education.
Published on: October 10, 2025
doi: 10.17756/micr.2025-120
Citation: Hodder A, Smyth L. 2025. Radiology Residents’ Reporting Volumes and Outcomes on Standardized Testing. J Med Imaging Case Rep 9(2): 38-43.
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