"At This Stage": The Application of the "4 Stages of Competence" As It Applies to the Practice of Radiology

Purpose: -We discuss the concepts of the 4 stage of competence as it applies to the practice of radiology
-An understanding of this model is important as it helps radiology staff identify learning needs and helps establish various learning objectives.
-The stages include: unconscious incompetence, conscious incompetence, conscious competence and unconscious competence.
-Discuss the application to radiology residency and concepts from the ACGME
-We elaborate on how this concept also applies to learning new skills by more senior staff

Methods/Materials: The 4 stages of competence are important as they establish the core of algorithms utilized in adaptive learning. With an understanding and knowledge of which stage a learner is within, specific content can be selected that can help the learner move to the next stage. It helps in assessing learner skill gaps. The concept of the 4 stages of competence can help in evaluating radiology residents and help them progress to become more competent and expert in various skills in radiology. Learning a new skill requires a transition through learning stages and learners can understand that the process of the slow learning process and teachers can identify these needs and objectives.

Results: In the training of radiology residents, there are certain expectations of residents at various training levels. The ACGME places an emphasis on supervision of residents and there must be a model for supervision and the concepts of increasing progressive responsibility. The 4 levels of competence model provides a framework for providing supervision of residents at their various levels of training, and in turn follows the ACGME model for increasing responsibility.

Conclusions: It is important to understand the concepts of development of learning skills at the various stages of a radiology resident's training and what is expected at each level. Skill acquisition occurs at various times and stages of training and differs by the individual. However, understanding the model of competence can help determine what a learner should look like at a specific stage and determine what additional levels of supervision are needed to move forward.