An Aid to Image Interpretation and Differential Diagnosis

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: Proven case conference is a weekly 1-hour session designed to aid diagnostic radiology residents in their ability to interpret images and formulate differential diagnoses. This article provides a detailed description of the format of this conference and its use in evaluating resident performance. METHODS: The scores of all residents on the written portion of this conference over a 2-year period were compiled. Results were divided according to each residency class, and each resident was compared with the mean of his or her class and with previous performance. RESULTS: There was overall improvement of the group over the course of residency. All individual scores showed improvement during the 2-year period studied. CONCLUSION: Proven case conference is a simply performed, well-accepted aid to image interpretation and differential diagnosis. It affords residents an ongoing opportunity for practical learning and provides the residency program director with an objective tool for resident evaluation.