Exchange Programme for Cardiovascular Radiology Fellowships (ESCR)

Aim

Recent advances in CT and MR technology and clinical research have rapidly expanded the range of applications of these imaging modalities, particularly in imaging of the heart.

The need to sufficiently qualify further young radiologists to render confident diagnosis in cardiovascular radiology using multi-detector CT and MRI studies, led the European Society of Radiology (ESR) and the European Society of Cardiovascular Radiology (ESCR) to take the initiative in establishing an exchange programme for fellowships or subspecialisation training in cardiovascular radiology.

It offers an opportunity to complement subspecialisation training in cardiovascular radiology or an existing structured fellowship programme, through exchange, in this field of radiology. Through three months of training the trainee will be provided with intense modular training in cardiovascular radiology and will be supervised by a specialised tutor in a pre-selected, highly esteemed, academic training centre in Europe.

Number of available places

Four places will be offered and organised through ESOR. The successful applicants will receive a grant jointly provided by ESR/ESOR and ESCR.

Eligibility

1. The programme applies to radiologists within the first three-four years after certification, who desire to become subspecialist radiologists.
2. Basic knowledge of current clinical practice in radiology with regard to CT and MRI. Competence in producing a radiological report, in communication with clinicians and patients, and knowledge of the principles of administration and management applied to a clinical department with multi-disciplinary staff and high-cost equipment is essential. Understanding the medicolegal implications of uncertainty and errors in diagnostic radiology is necessary. A clinical background in other disciplines, which has been achieved through clinical experience and training prior to entering the fellowship. Clinical experience in cardiology, angiology or cardiovascular surgery is advantageous.
3. Applicants must be proficient in English.
4. Active ESR and ESCR membership fee is 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.

Duration of fellowship and funding

The training starts in the second half of the year and lasts for three months. The fellow receives 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 covers 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 weekly training programme modules, the trainee will familiarise him/herself with the institution’s imaging equipment. He/She will then learn data handling and post-processing at different workstations, followed by case-by-case hands-on teaching on routine clinical cases with different modalities offered by an experienced staff.

With reviewing at least 100 cardiac cases that require CT and/or MRI evaluation at the end of the training programme, the trainee should be fluent in discussing the appropriate imaging modality and imaging technique with referring clinicians and be able to interpret different cardiac examinations on his/her own.

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