Curriculum
Year I
Residents rotate through various services in four-week blocks. Though initially under careful supervision, residents are encouraged to perform the bulk of procedures and immerse themselves in the rotation. Gradually, they are given more autonomy with the workflow. After the first six months, residents begin supervised "baby call" in accordance with ABR guidelines. Approximately one weekend a month, they serve as the daytime resident on call and provide preliminary interpretations on all studies. Senior residents are present in another room and overread these studies prior to releasing them to the emergency room or inpatient team. Although intimidating, this process serves to build confidence for the solo-call system that begins during the second year. There are no night call shifts assigned to the first year residents and they are given the majority of weekends off so that they can focus on reading.
Year II
This is a call-intensive year that begins during the summer months while the senior residents are traditionally focusing on their board preparation. Second-year residents quickly develop confidence in interpreting emergent studies and are primarily responsible for night-time and weekend hospital coverage. The second year is also when residents first rotate through the Breast Imaging and Interventional Radiology services.
Year III
The third year is less call-intensive and is more varied in experience. For three months, residents rotate at Children's National Medical Center for a rich experience in Pediatric Radiology. Residents also spend four weeks at the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology during this year. During this year, the resident also selects their chosen field of fellowship. While on service, the resident is skilled at both interpreting of studies and controlling workflow so that the services run in an efficient manner.
Year IV
The fourth year is focused more on board preparation, although this will change with the newer style of board examinations. Currently, residents prepare for the written boards during the beginning of the year and oral boards in the late spring. There is a collective priority placed on senior resident study time. GW residents are traditionally well-prepared and have performed extremely well on all board examinations.