Exchange Programme for Breast Imaging Fellowships (EUSOBI)

The rapid increase in the demand for imaging women with symptoms and for population screening means that there is a need to sufficiently train further young radiologists to render confident diagnosis in breast imaging and intervention using all modalities. This has led the European Society of Radiology (ESR) and the European Society of Breast Imaging (EUSOBI) to take the initiative in establishing an exchange programme for fellowships or subspecialisation training in breast imaging.

Aim

Breast Imaging is at the heart of modern management of breast disease which aims to make a clear cut diagnosis as promptly as possible to discharge women with benign disease and make a non operative diagnosis of cancer. The programme offers an opportunity to complement subspecialisation training in breast imaging or an existing structured fellowship programme, through exchange. During three months of training the trainee will be provided with intense modular training in breast imaging and will be supervised by a specialised tutor at a pre-selected, highly esteemed, academic training centre in Europe.

The programme is aimed at board-certified radiologists within the first three-four years after certification who desire to become radiologists with a subspecialist interest in breast imaging.

Number of available places

Five places are offered and organised through ESOR. The successful applicants will receive a grant jointly provided by ESR/ESOR and EUSOBI.

Eligibility

1. This programme applies to radiologists within the first three-four years after certification, who desire to become subspecialist radiologists in breast imaging.
2. Core training in clinical radiology in line with national training scheme and in accordance with the ESR syllabus. This should include core experience in breast imaging.
3. Applicants must be fluent in English.
4. An active ESR and EUSOBI membership are required.

• Applicants who were selected for this programme in the past cannot be considered for a second time.
• It will be possible to apply for one programme and within this programme for one topic only.
• To ensure equal opportunities candidates should apply only to institutions outside of their country of residence/work.
• All applications will be carefully reviewed by an evaluation committee after the submission deadline.
• The selected candidates will be asked to provide additional documents to the training centre for administrative purposes.
• A valid Covid-19 vaccination certificate will be required by most hospitals.
• The selected fellows are further asked to take care of their health insurance and are responsible for their visa. (Please note that there may be longer waiting times for visa applications.)

Duration of fellowship and funding

The training starts in the second half of the year and lasts for three months. The fellows receive a grant (€3.500,-) upon the completion of the training, the delivery of a final report and the submission of original flight tickets and accommodation receipts. The grant is intended to contribute in part to travel and accommodation expenses during the training period. ESOR cannot guarantee that the grant will cover these costs in full. During the training period the fellow is responsible for covering his/her expenses and his/her own health insurance. The training itself is offered for free. Please note that in particular cases administrative charges may arise, which are to be covered by the grant.

Programme structure

Based on a weekly training programme, the trainee will familiarise him/herself with all aspects of breast imaging and intervention by case-by-case hands-on teaching on routine clinical cases provided by an experienced staff. The trainee will design a personalised programme with his/her tutor to cover areas that will be most useful to his/her anticipated practice, ie referral-based imaging, screening, interventional or MRI. At the end of the training programme the trainee would be expected to have developed a sound knowledge in subspecialty breast disease on which further training and experience may be built-up.

In non-native English speaking training centres teaching would be in English, while major radiological conferences and reporting may be in the local language. Some knowledge of the local language may be an advantage.

The trainee will be able to observe clinical activities, but will not have direct patient care responsibilities.

It is the trainee’s responsibility to communicate with the centre regarding the details of the training and whether more responsibilities than observer status can be obtained. ESOR solely acts as facilitator and coordinator between the training centre and the trainee.

Certification