Visiting Fellowship in Breast Imaging
Are you searching for a unique, intensive experience in breast imaging that is sure to increase your interpretative abilities and leave you wanting more? Would you like to evaluate your screening and diagnostic skills in mammography, ultrasound and MRI of the breast by evaluating hundreds of patient studies with known outcomes? Would you welcome the opportunity to review those studies one-on-one at the viewbox, discuss potential abnormalities, appropriate imaging algorithms, biopsy options, wire localization approaches, practice management and differentials with leading breast imagers?
If so, consider immersing yourself for a week in the breast imaging visiting fellowships offered by VCU Breast Imaging under the direction of Gilda Cardeñosa, MD, FACR, at the VCU Medical Center in Richmond, Va. If you are interested in arranging a visiting fellowship, please contact Nancy Cooper at (804) 560-8906 ext. 7862 or ncooper@mcvh-vcu.edu.
About the Visiting Fellowships
The mini-fellowship is designed to expose you to hundreds of screening and diagnostic evaluations, including MRI, followed by a discussion of appropriate patient management options on patients with known outcomes.
As a visiting fellow, you will preview hundreds of mammographic studies, as well as participate in one-on-one review of standard mammographic views with discussions on:
- Technical issues
- Potential abnormalities and handling of call backs from screening
- Reporting and tracking of patients
- Need for prior films and handling of prior films requests
- Batch interpretation of screening studies
- Approach to diagnostic studies enabling same-day biopsies
You will also review diagnostic studies on call-back patients or those presenting for diagnostic evaluations, including:
- Imaging algorithms used for diagnostic patients
- Assessment of technical adequacy of diagnostic studies
- Management decisions based on additional imaging
- Approach to biopsies and biopsy techniques
- Indications for ductography with review of studies
Visiting fellows will have the opportunity to review MRI studies on patients diagnosed with breast cancer to learn about current indications for breast MRI, use of MRI in screening women at a significant risk for breast cancer, MRI-guided biopsies and considerations in developing a breast MRI program, as well as our approach to authorizations and reimbursement for breast MRI.
Radiology-pathology correlations on patients undergoing biopsy will be stressed and discussed at length with a focus on patient management issues following imaging-guided biopsies. Visiting fellows will attend a weekly radiology-pathology correlation conference on Tuesday morning.
Instruction on our approach to pre-operative wire localizations with discussions on the importance of assessing adequacy of localization, specimen radiography and follow-up on pathology to establish need for additional imaging will be addressed.
During the course of the week we will also discuss the management of our breast imaging practice with emphasis on:
- Patient scheduling (screening vs. diagnostic studies)
- Medical audit and expected results
- Policy and procedures manuals and the importance of adherence
- Preparation for FDA inspections
- Medico-legal issues related to practice organization
- Direct communication with patients, pathologists and surgeons
- Education of referring physicians
Following completion of this five-day program you will return home with:
- Increased confidence in your interpretation of breast imaging studies including mammography, breast ultrasound and MRI
- Effective imaging algorithms for evaluation of patients
- An appreciation for the importance of radiology-pathology concordance
- Ideas for optimizing your breast imaging practice and patient care
- A letter certifying your interpretation of 300 mammograms under the direct supervision of an MQSA-qualified interpreting physician
- A maximum of 40.5 credit hours AMA PRA Category 1 CreditsTM
Instructors
Course director: Gilda Cardeñosa, MS, MD, FACR
Staff:
- Gilda Cardeñosa, MS, MD, FACR
- Fernanda Kraemer, MD
Drs. Cardeñosa and Kraemer report having no relevant commercial relationships to disclose.
Accreditation and Certification
Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) School of Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
Physicians may claim up to 40.5 hours in Type 1 or Type 2 CME on the Virginia Board of Medicine Continued Competency and Assessment Form required for renewal of an active medical license.
VCU designates this educational activity for a maximum of 40.5 AMA PRA Category 1 CreditsTM. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Virginia Commonwealth University Health System is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. If special accommodations are needed, please contact Nancy Cooper at (804) 560-5906, ext. 7862.
