Pedagogical strategies for teaching diagnostic imaging in Brazilian medical schools: a systematic review

ABSTRACT

Introduction:

The competence of healthcare professionals in radiology not only plays a fundamental role in cost control but also in preventing medical errors resulting from inexperience during clinical practice.

Objective:

This study conducts a systematic review aiming to investigate the pedagogical strategies employed in teaching imaging diagnostics at Brazilian medical institutions, as well as to analyze the level of knowledge acquired by medical students throughout their education.

Method:

The systematic literature review followed the guidelines of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) and covered the databases PubMed, LILACS/BVS, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, and ScienceDirect. The search aimed to identify articles that addressed methodologies and strategies for disseminating knowledge in medical imaging. The evaluation of the level of evidence was conducted using the GRADE approach.

Results:

Of the 152 articles initially identified, 13 were selected after the removal of duplicates and analysis of titles and abstracts. During the full reading, eight articles were excluded due to inadequate methodologies or misalignment with the research objectives. The eligible studies involved 461 medical students across 49 Brazilian institutions, primarily private, characterized by a hybrid teaching system and a particular emphasis on medical radiology modules. Classrooms were highlighted as the main teaching environments. In the context of teaching imaging diagnostics, many students still face difficulties in evaluating exams, regardless of the academic term. The study points to the lack of uniformity in the benefits of government policies, resulting in regional and financial segregation in access to education.

Conclusion:

The lack of standardization in education contributes to inadequate training in radiology, leaving professionals unprepared for the proper interpretation of exams. Given the scarcity of studies and the identified disparities, it becomes imperative to establish minimum standards for medical radiology curricula, providing a structured foundation for national educational institutions and aiming to improve the quality of education and professional training.

Keywords:
Brazil; Diagnostic Imaging; Teaching; Medical, Education, Undergraduate; Radiology