Clinical Fellowship in Abdominal Imaging

u-Ottawa – The Ottawa Hospital

The Department of Radiology is committed to excellence in education and health research. We fulfil the needs of the communities we serve, locally in Eastern Ontario, nationally in Canada and globally.

The Department of Radiology consists of 75 Faculty members working across the Divisions of Medical Imaging, Radiation Oncology, and Medical Physics. Our educational programs include undergraduate electives, postgraduate training in the form of comprehensive residency and fellowship programs, as well as faculty development. We are the largest Canadian University provider of radiology-based continuing professional development opportunities in Canada.

The Department holds an annual radiology residency review course that is well received and considered a reference standard for comprehensive review of diagnostic radiology.

For more information, please click on the link below:
https://www.uottawa.ca/faculty-medicine/radiology 

Eligibility Criteria

Fellowship candidates must have completed an accredited radiology training programme and be either certified or eligible for certification by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada in Diagnostic Imaging, The American Board of Radiology, or certified with equivalent qualifications from another country. The candidate must also be proficient in both written and spoken English. Proof of qualifications must be provided by all applicants.

Please apply using the uOttawa Faculty of Medicine’s Application website under Fellowship Programs.

Duration and funding

Number of available places

During 2025/2026 one place will be available for recently board-certified ESR full members, i.e. radiologists residing within the boundaries of Europe. 

General Objectives

This program provides advanced training in body computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasound, abdominal procedures including FNA and core needles biopsy as well as fluid drainages. The fellow will participating in performing CT guided core biopsies as well as participate and performing percutaneous imaging therapeutic procedures such as RFA.

The aim of the program is to develop subspecialty radiologists with broad-spectrum expertise in abdominal imaging.

80 percent of the fellow’s time is spent on clinical services, interpreting imaging studies, performing image-guided biopsies and aspirations, and assisting in the supervision of radiology residents. Twenty per cent of their time is dedicated to academic pursuits, including research provided in the form of an academic day once a week on average. Dedicated conferences that contribute to fellow education include daily clinical assignments, noon teaching conferences, weekly fellow conferences, weekly multidisciplinary conferences, monthly follow-up conferences, and fellow discussion groups for interesting cases. Residents are also able to attend a spectrum of advanced CME courses provided by the uOttawa Faculty of Medicine’s Department of Radiology as well as visiting professor programs offered throughout the academic year.

Specific Objectives

The fellow is expected to:

• Perform independently and act as a useful abdominal imaging consultant to clinicians in Ultrasound, CT, MRI, and special procedures
• Perform and interpret non-contrast and contrast enhanced CT scans of the abdomen and pelvis for various indications including lesion characterization, staging malignancies, trauma, abdominal pain, etc.
• Perform and interpret ultrasound examinations:
  • Of the abdomen, pelvis, small parts (incl. thyroid gland, testicles), bowel and joints (incl. shoulders) using conventional probes
  • Of the female pelvis, the rectum, the prostate and intra-operative cases using special probes.
• Supervise MRI examination and
  • Assess for absolute and relative contraindications
  • Protocol each case appropriately
  • Perform conjoint procedures such as rectal jelly administration and buscopan administration
  • Supervise technical adequacy and completeness of cases at the technologist’s request
• Perform and interpret MRI examinations of abdomen, pelvis, and vessels
• Perform ultrasound-guided, fluoroscopic-guided, and CT-guided fine-needle aspiration and core biopsies as well as drainage catheter insertions
• Perform fluoroscopic procedures with barium and feeding tube insertions
• Assess and treat patients having an anaphylactic reaction or an adverse side effect from any supervised procedure
• Teach residents and medical students as part of their daily assigned duties
• Perform and interpret examinations performed on-call
• Prepare abdominal imaging rounds once a month
• Attend all abdominal imaging rounds within the department as well as multidisciplinary rounds related to body imaging
• Attend a full weekly series of lectures prepared specifically for trainees at the fellowship level of expertise

Structure

This is a 12-month fellowship. No split or divided fellowships are offered. Fellows’ schedules will be created on a monthly basis by the abdominal imaging fellowship program director and the scheduling coordinator.

Fellows’ schedules will vary daily, with approximately one day spent in each of the following areas:

1. Ultrasound
2. CT
3. MRI
4. Special procedures (biopsies, drainages)
5. Evening plain film reporting (one to two days per month )

Fellows will participate in the call roster performing call supervision.

Dr. Ryan will formally meet with fellows every quarter to discuss their strengths and weaknesses and address any outstanding issues brought forth.

Fellows will also participate in call duty at a rate no greater than other fellows in The Ottawa Hospital Fellowship Programs in the department of Diagnostic Imaging. Calls involve supervision of on-call residents from the residency training program. This takes place primarily from home through internet connection to the PACS system to discuss cases of concern initiated by the resident. No first call responsibilities are assigned to fellows.

Documentation and Certificate