Purpose or Case Report: Hybrid PET-MR is increasingly used in pediatric oncologic and metabolic imaging, yet structured educational resources remain scarce, creating a significant gap in PET-MR competency development. We designed an online case-based platform combining foundational modules (principles, radiopharmaceuticals, protocols, normal variants) with interactive case libraries featuring radiologist-verified findings and teaching points. This study evaluates its feasibility, preliminary learning outcomes, and user perceptions during pediatric nuclear medicine rotations.
Methods & Materials: Six radiology trainees (3 fellows & 3 residents) participated in a prospective mixed methods study during their 1-month clinical rotation including a 15-question multiple choice quiz before and after access to the PET-MR platform, with questions at three difficulty levels (easy, intermediate, and difficult). The percentage of correct responses was compared using paired t-tests with Cohen’s d z and 95% confidence intervals. Descriptive and qualitative analyses summarized post-rotation confidence (1–5 scale), satisfaction (1–5), and open-ended reflections on usability and educational value. Quantitative results were interpreted in the context of sample size and effect direction, emphasizing feasibility and engagement.
Results: All participants completed both assessments. Mean total knowledge increased from 82.2% pre to 84.4% post (+2.2 pp; t = 0.50, p = 0.64; dz = 0.20; 95% CI −9.2 to 13.6). The greatest relative improvement was for difficult items (+13.3 pp; p = 0.47), suggesting growth in higher-order reasoning, while easy and intermediate items remained stable. Mean post-rotation confidence was 3.6/5, satisfaction 4.3/5, and five of six participants identified both the Cases and Fundamentals sections as most helpful. Qualitative feedback consistently described the tool as clear, clinically relevant, and uniquely valuable for linking PET-MR physics, protocols, and interpretation; highlighting how few structured resources are otherwise available in this domain.
Conclusions: Early assessment of our pediatric PET-MR online platform shows it is feasible, engaging, and valuable to radiology trainees with promising educational impact. These preliminary findings highlight the urgent need for structured PET-MR learning tools and support platform expansion for broader, multi-institutional validation.