Educational Videos: An Effective Tool to Improve Training in Interventional Breast Procedures.

PURPOSE: Using the iPad application Explain Everything™, the authors created a "how to" video for stereotactic breast core biopsy to enhance their breast imaging curriculum. The objective was to show that video integration into residency training enhances resident learning.

METHODS: A pretest was provided to all 40 radiology residents (postgraduate years 2-5) at the authors' institution. The test included 20 questions on the video content, 15 similarly framed control questions on material that was not included in the video, and four demographic questions. Questions were randomly ordered, and trainees were not informed that both types of questions were included. Residents were given one week to watch the 20-minute video before completing a posttest that included the same 35 content questions presented in a different order. Three logistical questions were also included. Results for the video and the control questions were analyzed separately and compared.

RESULTS: Thirty of 40 residents (75%) participated (6-9 residents each year). The average scores for the video and control pretest were 7.7 of 20 (38.5%) and 7.8 of 15 (52%) and for the posttest were 13.8 of 20 (69%) and 7.8 of 15 (52%), respectively. This corresponds to a 30.7% mean improvement on the video-content questions compared with a 0% improvement for the control test (P < .001). Similar improvement was seen across all four postgraduate years and on an individual level.

CONCLUSIONS: This instructional video added significantly to resident learning in the short term. Further study on the long-term role of educational videos in radiology residency training seems warranted.