Radiology-TEACHES: Technology Enhanced Appropriateness Criteria Home for Education Simulation

In 2013, I had an idea to leverage clinical decision support (CDS) technology for medical education. The goal was to empower our future medical providers to appropriately, safely and cost effectively request the right test at the right time for the right reason.

This ignited a collaboration with the ACR® and National Decision Support Company. We began creating an online portal for medical education that simulates the process of ordering imaging studies with integrated CDS. This collaboration resulted in the program now known as Radiology-TEACHES®.

The feedback received at the point of simulated order entry includes the most appropriate imaging evaluation for patients, cost of imaging, patient radiation exposure and appropriate utilization of contrast for CT and MRI. The modules can be completed asynchronously or as part of a flipped classroom.

The program has steadily grown over the past eight years. Thanks to 32 authors and an amazing team, two ACR staff and 11 editors, the program is now used in 59% of all allopathic medical schools across the country. Osteopathic medical schools, physician assistant and nurse practitioner programs are also utilizing the program. To date, 5,849 learners have benefitted from the program and completed 23,826 learning activities.

Radiology-TEACHES Portal:

Clinical Decision Support feedback panel displayed in the portal:

Learning Objectives

At the end of these modules, learners will be able to:

• Formulate an approach to appropriately utilize imaging to diagnose and treat patients, including appropriate collaboration with other members of the healthcare team.
• Develop a baseline knowledge of the cost of imaging examinations.
• Construct a diagnostic workflow to select the safest imaging work-up for patients.
• Examine the value of evidence-based feedback provided by CDS.

Radiology-TEACHES is freely available. I hope you will consider sponsoring the program at your institution and/or help improve awareness by sharing it with the educators whom you know.