Approaches to Radiology: Radiology and Shortness of Breath

This is my first in a series of articles aimed at improving medical students’ approach to interpretation of different imaging modalities. As medical students, and likewise also as fresh foundation doctors, despite probably adequate exposure to clinical images requested as part of the patient management pathway during ward‐based attachments, not many feel confident in their interpretation skills. Moreover though, two things that I find interesting is that medical students and junior doctors:a) find it difficult to prioritise imaging requesting in the context of the clinical problem presented, andb) lack verbal fluency in describing their findings, no matter how barn‐door the findings areThe essential point to make is that the aim is not to make mini‐radiologists, but to ensure that junior doctors can practice safely. The key teaching points during this issue will focus on the following:a) Tackling a core clinical problem and discussing its medical work‐up.b) Discussion of the imaging work‐up emphasising on investigation prioritisation.A self‐assessment section will supplement this, with a case study in future issues, to put knowledge acquired to practice.