Foundational Radiology

AVAILABLE STARTING AY2026-2027

Department of Medicine and Medical Specialties

  • Course Information

    Course Number: RMDN631

    Prerequisites: Completion of Phase 1

    Length of Time: 2 Weeks

    Phase Availability: Phase 2 and Phase 3

    Credit Type: Open

    Call: No

  • Contact Information

    Program Directors: Rajesh Kakarla, MD; Andrew Tannenbaum, MD; Amer Rasheed, MD

    Coordinator/Scheduling: Allison King (aking75@uic.edu)

    Locations: Mercyhealth Javon Bea Hospital (8201 E Riverside Blvd, Rockford, IL 61114)

Narrative Description: The goal of this elective is for students to gain a basic appreciation for the field of radiology and its various subspecialties. During this elective, the student will become familiar with the full scope of diagnostic and interventional radiology, including: the consulting role radiologists provide to primary care and specialty providers, an overview of the imaging appearance of common abnormalities, risks/benefits and cost effectiveness of radiologic examinations, and guidelines for ordering common studies. The students will develop an understanding of the role that radiology plays in patient care, especially as it pertains to making clinical diagnoses. All future physicians will need a working knowledge of medical imaging algorithms (“what test to order”), an understanding of cost-effective and safe ordering practices, and preliminary training in basic image interpretation to help manage their own patients.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the course, students will be able to:

  1.  Demonstrate knowledge of the different types of radiological procedures and modalities available for patient care.
  2. Participate in the preparation of patients for tests.
  3. Discuss the different types of radiology modalities and radiological procedures and their utilization in diagnosis and intervention.
  4. Discuss the indications and limitations of different imaging equipment including CT scans, ultrasound, radio nuclear techniques and angiographies.
  5. Discuss the side effects and complications of invasive studies and contrast media.
  6. Understand the basic principles of radiation physics, including image production, radiation protection, types, hazards, and purposes of contrast material.
  7. Know the basic principles of ultrasound, computed tomography, nuclear medicine, Magnetic Resonance Imaging and special procedures.
  8. Understand how decisions are made for which radiologic exams to order and how that impacts clinical decisions and cost-effective diagnostic care.
  9. Identify normal findings on plain radiographic examinations of the chest, abdomen, skeleton, and head.
  10. Use radiographic findings to narrow differential diagnoses or to develop a tentative diagnosis.
  11. Participate in the interpretations of a radiologist’s report.
  12. Understand the role of the radiologist on the health care team and the relationship to other clinical disciplines.
  13. Appreciate the radiologist’s need for adequate clinical history and a clear statement of the indications for the examination being requested.

Learning Activities:

  1.  General Radiology: While on the general radiology portion of this elective, students will be exposed to a variety of procedures including but not limited to: CT, MRI, GI/GU, ultrasound, pediatric studies, fluoroscopic examinations, musculoskeletal examinations, radiographs, as well as nuclear medicine. If there is a particular interest, a student may also request to spend a day or two at the women’s imaging center. Students should report to reading rooms by 8:00am.
  2. Interventional Radiology: During the interventional radiology portion of the elective, the student will be exposed to a wide array of imaging guided procedures including biopsies, drainages, vascular interventions, injections, paracentesis, thoracentesis, and many other additional procedures.

Students will be expected to participate in the interpretation of the following images as available during their time in the elective.

  1. Chest Films
    1. Normal adult
    2. Normal pediatric
    3. Pneumonia
    4. COPD
    5. CHF
    6. Asthma (hyperinflation)
    7. Pleural effusion
    8. Neoplasm
    9. Pneumothorax
    10. ARDS
  2. Abdominal Films
    1. Normal adult
    2. Normal pediatric
    3. Small bowel obstruction
    4. Large bowel obstruction
    5. Intussusception
    6. Ileus
    7. Perforation/free air
    8. Hiatal hernia
    9. Aortic aneurysm
  3. Skeletal Films
    1. Normal adult
    2. Normal pediatric
    3. C-spine fractures/clearance
    4. LS spine abnormalities
    5. Fractures (boxers/metacarpal, colles, navicular, greenstick, clavicle, ankle, metatarsals IBP, tib/fin, hop, abuse pattern)
  4. Head CT
    1. Normal adult
    2. Normal pediatric
    3. Epidural hemorrhage
    4. Subdural hemorrhage
    5. Intracerebral hemorrhage
    6. Cerebral edema
    7. Intracerebral mass
    8. Ischemic CVA
    9. Sinusitis
  5. Chest CT
    1. PE
    2. Pneumonia
    3. Bronchial Obstruction
    4. Malignancy
    5. TAA
  6. Abdominal CT
    1. Appendicitis
    2. Diverticulitis
    3. Abscess
    4. Bowel obstruction
    5. Renal stones/hydronephrosis

Daily Responsibilities:

  1. Each student will spend approximately half of the time with the radiologist who is assigned to diagnostic service during those weeks, and half of the time with interventional radiologists to ensure students see the full breadth of radiology.
  2. Students will be required to review resources to learn about different diagnostic modalities and interventional radiology procedures.
  3. Students will be required to present topics and cases related to radiology as assigned.
  4. Students will be required to participate in diagnostic modalities and interventional radiology procedures at a level commensurate with their training at the time of the elective.
  5. Students will be required to demonstrate knowledge of the field and clinical reasoning through discussion with attending and review of patient images.

General Scheduling: Students will work on inpatient at Mercyhealth Javon Bea Hospital-Riverside Monday-Friday and occasionally a Saturday or Sunday. Students are expected to work up to five full day shifts per calendar week, as assigned by the preceptor. Work hours must not exceed the duty hours indicated by the College of Medicine.

Method of Assessment: Students will be assessed by the attending faculty member with whom they spend the most time during the rotation. The University of Illinois College of Medicine Clinical Elective Evaluation form will be used to grade students.

Required Reading: Selected readings will be assigned from the following resources throughout the rotation as it fits the needs of patient care and student learning for this rotation.

Additional Resources: Other readings, as assigned.

Miscellaneous Information: None