Review of St. Paul’s Hospital Millennium Medical College Radiology Program: Stakeholders’ Viewpoints

Abstract

BACKGROUND: St. Paul’s Hospital Millennium Medical College (SPHMMC) has offered radiology specialty training for a decade. To mark its 10th anniversary and assess the program's status, this study aimed to gather stakeholders’ perspectives on its functioning.

METHODS: The assessment was conducted from June 15 to July 5, 2024, using a stratified cross-sectional study design. A total of 211 participants were recruited through exhaustive sampling from alumni, faculty, students, referring physicians, and patients. Data were collected via web-based and paper-based questionnaires, where stakeholders rated the core functions of the SPHMMC radiology program (curriculum, teaching, research, and imaging practices) on a 5-point scale and provided additional feedback.

RESULTS: Overall, 78% of stakeholders regarded the program’s curriculum as highly relevant. However, teaching quality and research were viewed negatively, with only 19% and 11% of radiologists rating these aspects positively. Referring physicians considered radiology reports relevant (68%) but often found them incomplete and untimely (73%), with only 2% deemed timely. Over 80% of patients expressed dissatisfaction with the imaging services and were unwilling to recommend them.

CONCLUSIONS: While positive perceptions of the curriculum and imaging services suggest program strengths, the negative feedback on teaching and research quality indicates the need for improvements to maintain SPHMMC’s commitment to quality education and services.