Section Head
Musculoskeletal News
QEII Musculoskeletal Radiology
Educational Leadership in Musculoskeletal Imaging
The faculty members in our MSK section are educational leaders in the Department of Diagnostic Radiology who have consistently received high praise from residents. They are recognized among residents as much for their kindness and patience as they are for their depth of knowledge and understanding.
Our residency program teaches invaluable training in MSK rotations, both academically and personally, by demonstrating from example what it is to be a well-rounded academic radiologist.
Our musculoskeletal radiology section uses Xray, US, CT and MRI studies in the evaluation of various skeletal pathologies. In addition, we use fluoroscopic guided studies for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. We perform approximately 15 fluoroscopically guided joint injections each week at the QEIIHSC HI site .
Besides evaluation of post traumatic conditions, we use multimodality imaging to aid in the diagnosis and management of rheumatologic, orthopaedic and skeletal oncologic conditions.
Staff also participate in patient management forum in the Department of Rheumatology on a once monthly basis.
Collaborative research (principally with the Department of Orthopaedics) is ongoing.
Head of the section, Dr. Gordon Boyd who is also our Fellowship Director, has made a great impression on residents, earning him the excellence in teaching award. Dr. Mike Mitchell's teaching career has spanned 30 years in the Department of Diagnostic Radiology. He is the past Associate Director of Diagnostic Radiology and has received numerous awards, including the department’s excellence in teaching award.
Together with Dr. Patrick Slipp they teach the musculoskeletal (MSK) imaging curriculum, which includes three four-week rotations for second- and third-year residents, and two four-week rotations for fourth- and fifth-year residents. The rotations incorporate daily one-on-one teaching, lectures and rounds. Drs. Mitchell, Boyd and Slipp are also involved in medical student education and provide elective educational experiences for residents in other disciplines such as orthopedic surgery and rheumatology.
In their daily resident teaching, Drs. Boyd, Mitchell and Slipp focus on plain film x-rays, ultrasound, CT studies, and MR studies, and involve residents early on. Through case discussions, they guide residents on appropriateness of imaging tests, performance of these studies, assessment of the imaging findings, and recommendations for further management.
We have received very strong and informative resident evaluations and strive to develop and refine the rotations based on them. The MSK imaging rotations are perceived as a valuable educational experience and are popular with the residents.