RSSA Conference: Radiology Residents Experience with CT Brain Perfusion: Regional Cross-sectional Study in Saudi Arabia

Background: CT brain perfusion (CTP) is the gold standard for ischemic penumbra detection. Residents should be confident to report CTP by the end of their training. Our informal observation led us to question whether residents are encountering enough cases to become confident in reporting them. Objectives: To determine the level of confidence of radiology residents in a regional study and to identify the factors affecting their confidence. Materials and methods: Direct communication with radiology residents in the western region of Saudi Arabia to complete an online survey describing their experience with CTP and their level of confidence in reporting these cases. Results: One hundred and nine out of 224 residents participated in the study within the study period. 49 (45%) residents did not encounter CTP during their neuroradiology rotation (45%) nor their on-calls (53%). Sixty (55%) residents encountered at least one CTP during their neuroradiology rotation (55%) and during on-calls (47%), only half of them (55%) reported the cases while the rest only observed. Overall, 60% of residents were not confident in reporting CTP independently and the majority (93%) believe they would benefit from dedicated teaching on stroke imaging. Confidence to independently report CTP during on-calls was significantly higher among residents who received their primary training in Jeddah (51.4%) compared to other regions. This self-reported confidence increased significantly with the increased average number of CTPs reported per one rotation and per on-call. Conclusion: Half of the residents do not feel confident reporting CTPs when less than 10 CTPs are encountered during their neuroradiology rotation or on-calls.