Canadian medical students helping RAB
Report by: Samantha Hunnisett
Kristopher Hoover
Kieran Lacey
Medical students assisting with our newest program the "International Certificate in Radiology Fundamentals" to help educate doctors overseas.
When Dr Petter Tonseth from the University of British Columbia (UBC) visited the Memorial University of Newfoundland (MUN), medical students Kieran Lacey and Kristopher Hoover learnt about RAB's work of educating doctors in developing nations and became interested in helping. Kieran and Kristopher have since joined the RAB team to help with the development of the certificate which RAB and UBC are currently developing together.
The certificate aims to provide core radiology fundamentals to medical trainees and staff in areas where training is difficult to access and covers the full range of radiological disciplines to provide an excellent radiology knowledgebase to anyone who completes the certificate.
It is cleverly designed to provide a General Physician in a rural or underdeveloped area with the fundamentals of radiology to include physics, MSK, abdomen, women’s health, paediatrics, neurology, cardiothoracic, and interventional.
Offered entirely online using Moodle - an online learning platform, the certificate will provide diverse learning materials including video lectures, interactive online modules, radiology cases and presentations and is intended to be completed in one year at the learner’s own pace.
I recently asked Kieran and Kristopher why they enjoy supporting the work of RAB -
Kristopher:
Firstly, I think the work done by RAB is important. The services provided by radiologists have become a core aspect of the diagnostic and treatment process in modern medicine. By providing radiology training to medical providers in areas where it would otherwise not be available, RAB is helping to improve care in a very significant way for patients in these areas.
As a medical student, I am passionate about contributing to anything that will allow me to improve the health and wellness of patients. I have specific interests in radiology and global health. Working with RAB provides me with the opportunity to harness these interests in a way that will make a tangible positive impact in medical care in areas that will benefit greatly from it. To top it all off, I get to do this while working with a great team of RAB staff and volunteers!
Kieran:
Throughout my medical education, I have become more involved with global health initiatives and I developed a great interest in radiology. RAB has allowed me to combine these interests and work in an area I am truly passionate about.
I am thrilled to be helping RAB as it is pioneering a radiology education program that fills the gap in a great area of need. I have witnessed the underuse of x-ray and ultrasound technology in a rural and underdeveloped region firsthand. The equipment was present but the knowledge in how to apply and interpret results was not reaching its full potential. Many hands make light work and together we can make this program happen!
As a medical student, it is an honour to be part of such a unique and worthwhile initiative at such an early stage in its creation. I am learning so much from the team and will carry on technical and educational skills that I will use for a lifetime.
How will the certificate help medical professionals around the world?
Kieran:
It would allow patients in need across the globe to receive better access to healthcare, a more directed differential diagnosis, as well as provide confidence to physicians in both emergent and non-emergent scenarios. This program will not only enrich the physiological education of medical students and staff but also provide the knowledge to advocate for an increase in radiological based practice in their region.Kristopher:
The program is a resource that any medical trainee around the world would benefit from. It represents the collection of knowledge and teaching from a huge multinational team of radiologists and a variety of world class educational resources. I believe the program will play a very important role in providing world-class radiology training to medical providers in areas where training is not easily available. The program would truly be of benefit to any medical learner who has an interest in radiology and a desire to become competent in the core aspects of the specialty. I am very proud to be able to contribute to RAB and this very important initiative!
