ACR Launches Hot Seat Course for Radiology Trainees

The American College of Radiology has rolled out a new educational offering aimed at radiology trainees facing the pressure of oral case reviews. The Hot Seat Course, developed by the ACR Institute for Radiologic Pathology, runs as a two-day weekend intensive focused on sharpening presentation skills and diagnostic reasoning under pressure.

According to the AuntMinnie announcement, the course structure places participants in small cohort rotations across seven radiology subspecialties. Trainees work through unknown case discussions and rapid-fire question-and-answer sessions that emphasize structured case interpretation, differential diagnosis, and clear communication.

Priscilla Jennings Slanetz, MD, MPH, FACR, chair of the ACR Commission on Publications and Lifelong Learning, described the program as a high-yield learning experience that simulates real-world oral case presentation scenarios. The goal is straightforward: help residents and fellows develop confident, well-reasoned case presentation skills before they face actual board exams or clinical evaluations.

Newswise reported additional details about the course objectives. By the end of the program, participants should be able to present radiologic cases effectively in a structured format, assess individual strengths and areas for improvement, and apply a systematic approach to differential diagnosis formulation. The curriculum doesn't just teach what to say—it teaches how to think while being watched.

The physical reality of the course matters. Participants sit through back-to-back sessions where they must articulate findings while experts probe their reasoning. There's no time to scroll through notes or hide behind a screen. The pressure is intentional (because that's exactly what happens during actual oral boards).

Ana P. Lourenco, MD, FACR, chair of the AIRP Advisory Committee, noted the course offers a genuine opportunity designed to support peak performance when it matters most. Whether trainees are looking to enhance interpretive skills or simply seek a focused learning experience, the Hot Seat Course provides concentrated practice in a controlled environment.

This initiative reflects a broader trend in radiology education. As diagnostic imaging becomes more complex and competition for fellowships intensifies, structured preparation for oral examinations has shifted from optional to essential. The ACR is essentially creating a simulation lab for one of the most stressful moments in a radiologist's training.

Registration information is available through [email protected]. The ACR represents 42,000 members across diagnostic and interventional radiology, radiation oncology, nuclear medicine, and related specialties. For an organization of this size, launching a specialized course signals that oral case presentation skills are now a priority area for professional development.

Whether this course actually translates to better board exam performance remains to be seen. The real test comes when trainees step into actual examination rooms, not practice sessions. But at least now they'll know what to expect before they freeze.

Artūras Malašauskas is an AI Systems Integrator with 20+ years of production-grade web engineering experience. He has designed, shipped, and scaled enterprise Python/PHP systems for logistics, SaaS, and public-sector clients. For the past year, he has focused exclusively on AI integrations: deploying open-source LLMs, building generative media pipelines (image, audio, video), and engineering multi-agent workflows for real production environments. His standard: reproducibility, security, cost-efficient inference—no vaporware. He documents and evaluates emerging AI tooling, separating verified capabilities from marketing noise. Technical editor at: muza-ai.eu, ai-verslas.lt, ai-naujinos.lt Connect on LinkedIn