The use of ACR Appropriateness Criteria: a survey of radiology residents and program directors ★

PurposeAssess the utilization of American College of Radiology Appropriateness Criteria (ACR-AC) among radiology residency program directors (PDs) and residents.MethodsRadiology PD and resident survey.ResultsSeventy-four percent (46/62) of PDs promote ACR-AC in education (P< .05), and 84% (317/376) of residents have read at least a few (P< .05). Seventy-four percent (74/100) of first-year residents compared to 56.8% (157/276) of second- to fourth-year residents report at least occasional faculty reference of ACR-AC (P< .05). ACR-AC are well regarded (P< .05), but 40% believe that they are perplexing.ConclusionThere is widespread resident awareness of ACR-AC and integration into resident training. However, faculty are only beginning to teach with them, and radiologists are not citing them with clinicians.