Application of Case Report-Writing in the Training of Radiology Post Graduate Students at Makerere University.

Background: Postgraduate medical education is much sought after and has become an issue of global significance, appeal and dimensions. The Radiology postgraduate training at Makerere University has been in existence since 1980. As part of their training students are required to write up 30 cases with the help of their lecturers.
Methods: We set out to evaluate the role of case report writing in the training of Radiology postgraduate students. A document analysis of 22 case report sets was done. Questionnaires with closed and open ended questions were administered to the 10 Radiologists and 6 students to get their opinions and ideas on the process and how it could be improved. The quantitative data was analyzed by a statistician and focused on the closed-ended statements. The qualitative data was analyzed by the authors with the help of a qualitative expert.
Results: The radiologists and students agreed that case report writing helped students acquire a wide range of competences. They also agreed that it is a reliable and valid method of assessment and has a positive impact on learning. The respondents identified problems that were encountered in the process. They have problems identifying cases that are fully worked up and also their work was made challenging because of poor technology, limited access to references and high cost of producing the cases. The cases exposed the students to a wide range of cases and investigations in radiology and helped them integrate Clinical Medicine and Radiology.
Conclusion: Case report writing is a good way of training and assessing post graduate students. It is motivational and also helps them acquire a wide range of competences specifically ability to write scientific articles.