 Education in partnership with

European Society of Paediatric Radiology (ESPR) =

 Online Application

OPEN until March 18, 2024

 Evaluation Committee

Maria I Argyropoulou
Owen Arthurs
Rick v.Rijn

 Training centres

Please click on this LINK to see the list of available training centers in 2024.

 How to apply

Applicants are asked:

To log into the MyUser Area of the ESR Website and to select the button “Exchange Programmes for Fellowships”
(If you are not an ESR Member or need to renew your ESR Membership, please click here.)
To then opt for the respective subspecialty
To select one preferred training centre and to indicate a second as well as a third choice
To upload the following documents as one single PDF file (maximum size 8 MB) in the order listed below:

Letter of motivation (addressed to the Evaluation Committee) including a summary of their training background, areas of particular strength and interest and a brief description of how they would hope to implement and apply their medical training. (This is a very important document, please take your time when you prepare it.)
CV – It is mandatory to use this template: ESOR curriculum vitae template (DOC) otherwise the applicaiton will not be considered
A certificate verifying recent board certification in radiology (no longer than three-four years ago)
Letter(s) of recommendation (addressed to the Evaluation Committee) from the head of department of the current training centre or a previously undertaken academic training

Exchange Programme for Paediatric Radiology Fellowships (ESPR)

The need to attract, train and help qualify young radiologists to render confident practice of the diverse multimodality age focussed subspeciality imaging has never been more important. This has prompted the European Society of Radiology (ESR) and the European Society of Paediatric Radiology (ESPR) to take the initiative in establishing an exchange programme for fellowships or subspecialisation training in paediatric radiology.

Aim

Recent advances in radiology equipment and in particular more rapid acquisition of images within cross sectional imaging with more widespread availability of fast imaging techniques have opened the door to excellent multisystem imaging in children.

This is in addition to more conventional plain film, fluoroscopy and ultrasound/nuclear imaging which has long been the mainstay of paediatric radiology. Clinical research has rapidly expanded the range of applications of the newer imaging modalities, particularly in imaging of the brain and heart. This is particularly important in neurodevelopmental disorders and complex congenital heart disease.

The programme offers an opportunity to complement subspecialisation training in paediatric radiology or an existing fellowship programme in this field of radiology. Through three months of training the trainee will be provided with intense modular training in paediatric 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 ESPR.

Eligibility

These exchange programmes are applicable to radiologists within the first three-four years after certification, who desire to become subspecialist radiologists. Previous basic paediatric radiology training is essential prior to taking this opportunity.
Basic knowledge of current clinical practice in paediatric radiology with regard to plain films, fluoroscopy, ultrasound, 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 good clinical background in other disciplines, which has been achieved through clinical experience and training prior to entering the fellowship. Clinical experience in paediatrics is advantageous.
Applicants must be fluent in English.
An active ESR and ESPR membership is required.

PLEASE NOTE:

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 make sure to apply well in time because of longer wiating periods.)

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 will cover these costs in full. During the period of the training 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 to handle children in all modalities in radiological practice, followed by case-by-case hands-on teaching on routine clinical cases with different modalities from experienced staff. With supervision of a wide range of pathology at the end of the training programme the trainee should be proficient in discussing the appropriate imaging modalities and imaging technique with referring clinicians and be able to interpret different paediatric 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

After successful completion of the three-month training the trainees receive a certificate from ESR/ESOR and ESPR. In order to receive this, the fellow must present a written report about his/her work and activities during the programme.