Dados do Trabalho

Título

COACHing a Diverse Radiology Workforce

Descrição sucinta do(s) objetivo(s)

Transitioning from an international medical degree and training to radiology clinical practice in the United States (US) is a complex and not well-established process. We aim to introduce the Children’s hospital Opportunity for Academic Careers in researcH, COACH, as a longitudinal educational model to empower international medical graduates' (IMGs) and support their transition to a radiology clinical practice in the US via research.

Material(is) e método(s)

Through interviews with key stakeholders, fundamental skills were identified for the transition to the US. COACH's curriculum was developed and implemented in 2022, focusing on introductions to pediatric radiology research, scientific writing, imaging and post-processing applications, data management and analytics, institutional research resources, science sharing, grant writing and career development. Based on these topics, one-hour weekly sessions have been designed and delivered to the trainees. After each session, participants answered a 7-point Likert scale questionnaire to assess satisfaction, content’s relevance and perceived learning outcomes. Mentorship and career coaching have also been provided, aiming to address different individual needs.

Resultados e discussão

COACH has supported 28 IMGs from 2022 until January 2025. After the first curriculum year, participants reported high relevance (median 7 [IQR-6-7]), satisfaction (median 7 [IQR-6-7]) and perceived learning outcomes (median 7 [IQR-6-7]) scores. In 2024, COACH’s trainees have either successfully transitioned into radiology and pediatric residencies, pediatric radiology fellowship or industry, with six currently participating in the 2025 Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) Match.

Developing and implementing a transitional pathway can assist these professionals in becoming familiar with the US academic healthcare system. Considering IMGs' diverse personal and training backgrounds, COACH has succeeded in supporting career development and facilitating clinical transitioning, bolstering participants’ confidence level and knowledge, and simultaneously cultivating their professional identity.

Conclusões

COACH is a successful structured educational model designed to facilitate the transition of IMGs to the US. This program aims to mentor and inspire the next generation of experts in academic radiology. Based on this model, we hope more institutions will be capable of implementing similar programs, creating better transitional pathways for IMGs.

Palavras Chave

International medical graduates; mentorship; career

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