Curriculum

The Musculoskeletal Radiology fellowship curriculum adheres to ACGME core competencies and encourages graded responsibility throughout the year, while maintaining a closely supervised training environment.  Components of the fellowship curriculum include all major areas of musculoskeletal imaging anatomy and pathology, with exposure to all musculoskeletal imaging modalities.  In addition to a strong emphasis on the competencies of medical knowledge and patient care, there is excellent exposure to the remaining competencies.

The program consists of alternating two week rotations divided between cross-sectional MR and CT imaging of bones, joints and soft tissues of the appendicular skeleton; radiography; elective spine imaging; ultrasound and musculoskeletal procedures. Dedicated experience with PET imaging, PET-CT imaging and bone densitometry will be obtained in a 1 week nuclear medicine rotation, with additional exposure throughout the year. There also is a 1 week rotation in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at the Beaumont Orthopaedic Clinic.  There is 4 weeks of elective time, with options for dedicated spine imaging and intervention.

The fellowship program emphasizes the diagnosis, pathogenesis, and knowledge of the treatment of musculoskeletal pathology through one-on-one faculty teaching, formal fellow-level didactic lectures, and a variety of interdisciplinary conferences, including weekly musculoskeletal tumor board and monthly rheumatology conferences. Dedicated radiology resident case-based and didactic conferences occur throughout the year, with fellow participation.

There is no required in-house call during the fellowship year.  Occasional weekend home coverage specifically limited to protocoling of urgent MRI examination is required.The Department of Radiology fully supports the attendance of the fellow at one national meeting during the fellowship. Annual meetings to choose from include: Radiological Society of North America, American Roentgen Ray Society, Society of Skeletal Radiology, International Skeletal Society (if held within the continental United States or Canada), and specific Musculoskeletal Radiology review courses. Additional support may be given if the fellow is presenting research at a national conference.

Didactics

• MSK Interesting Case Conference: Occurs every other Thursday at noon. Interesting MSK cases are presented by MSK fellows and radiology residents on the service, with MSK staff in attendance for supervision and to facilitate discussion.
  
• MSK Fellow Didactic Conference: Occurs every month on the first Thursday at noon. Interesting MSK topics and cases are presented and discussed by attending radiologists and MSK fellows.
  
• MSK Fellow Journal Club: Occurs every month on the third Thursday at noon. MSK fellows and staff present and discuss recent publications with a focus on critical thinking and study design. 
  
• Resident Didactic Conference: Occurs daily at noon. Fellow attendance is optional except for MSK conference, which occur on average every 2 weeks.  
  
• Orthopaedic Tumor Board: Occurs every Monday at 7 a.m. This is a multidisciplinary conference with Orthopaedic Oncology, Radiology, Hematology-Oncology and Radiation Oncology participation. Interesting cases are presented and the radiology, pathology and treatment decisions are discussed.
  
• Rheumatology Interesting Case Conference: Occurs every fourth Monday at 7:30 a.m. MSK staff and fellows and rheumatology staff and house staff participate. Interesting topics and interesting cases are discussed.
  
• Optional: Orthopaedic Interesting Case Conference: Occurs every Friday at 6:45 a.m. Orthopaedic Surgery directs this conference, with interesting cases presented and discussed by orthopaedic residents and staff.
  
• Optional: Orthopaedic Surgery Didactic Resident Conference: Occurs daily at 6:30 a.m., with presentations by orthopaedic staff to orthopaedic residents. MSK staff periodically lecture as well. Attendance by musculoskeletal radiology fellows is encouraged, as many topics are of interest.