AIM

Hybrid imaging is rapidly evolving with the development of new tracers, refined scanning equipment, and an increasing amount of scientific data. Patients with oncologic diseases are still the major group but hybrid imaging in cardiac and neurologic diseases are increasing. Even if fluoro-deoxy-glucose (FDG) is the most commonly used tracer, several other tracers are used to visualise a variety of biochemical changes on the molecular scale. Hybrid imaging in oncology is mainly used for staging but also for tissue characterisation, treatment, and follow-up.

The Exchange Programme for Hybrid Imaging Fellowships, supported by the European Society of Radiology (ESR) and the European Society for Hybrid, Molecular and Translational Imaging (ESHIMT), offers an opportunity to complement training in this field of radiology. The three-month exchange will provide an intense modular training in PET/CT, SPECT/CT, and PET/MR, and fellows will also learn about the production of tracers and image data processing.

The exchange programme is organised through ESOR and will expose trainees to all aspects of hybrid imaging under the supervision of an assigned mentor who is fellow member of ESHIMT, in a pre-selected European reference training centre.

NUMBER OF AVAILABLE PLACES

During 2025, one programme will be offered and organised through ESOR and the successful applicant will receive a grant jointly provided by ESHIMT and ESR/ESOR.

ELIGIBILITY

1.) This exchange programme applies to radiologists within the first three-four years after certification, who desire to become subspecialist radiologists.

2.) The applicant must have knowledge of current clinical practice in radiology/nuclear medicine with regard to cross-sectional imaging. Competence in producing a 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 are essential. Understanding the medico-legal implications of uncertainty and errors in hybrid imaging is necessary. A clinical background in other disciplines which was achieved through clinical experience and training prior to entering the fellowship is important; clinical experience in oncology (medical, surgical, radiation therapy) is of benefit.

3.) Applicants must be fluent, and provide all documentation, in English.

4.) Active ESR and ESHIMT memberships are required.

DURATION AND FUNDING

The training will start in the second half of the year in accordance with the training center and last for three months. The Fellowship must be completed by the end of 2025. The Fellow will receive a grant (€3.500,-) upon completion of the training, delivery of a final report and 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 their expenses and their 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 themself with the institution’s imaging equipment and radiotracers and will gain knowledge about the cyclotron and radiochemistry production. They will then obtain in-depth knowledge about imaging examinations used for diagnosis, staging, and follow-up of oncologic cases. They will learn to review and interpret images through case-by-case hands-on teaching by experienced staff, utilising routine clinical cases from different hybrid imaging modalities. The training institution exposes each trainee to at least 250 mentored imaging studies. Furthermore, the trainee shall be trained by a mentor in the interpretation of 100 imaging studies from an established teaching file, previous cases, or training software. At the end of the training programme, the trainee should be proficient in discussing the appropriate imaging modalitiy and imaging technique with referring clinicians and be able to interpret the most common oncologic hybrid imaging examinations on his/her own. Training in non-native English speaking centres is in English, but 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 should the trainee want greater responsibilities. ESOR acts solely as a facilitator and coordinator between the training centre and the trainee.

CERTIFICATION

Upon the receipt of a written report from the fellow about the fellow’s activities and work during the programme, the trainee will receive a certificate from ESR/ESOR and ESHIMT.

HOW TO APPLY

To apply, please:

Log in to the MyESR portal and select ‘Exchange Programmes for Fellowships’
(If you are not an ESR Member or need to renew your ESR Membership, please click here.)
Choose your respective subspeciality and preferred training centre. You should indicate also your second and third choices.
Upload the Application Package through the MyESR portal as one single PDF file (max. 8MB).

All applicants must provide the following documents as a single PDF file:

Letter of Motivation
Addressed to the Evaluation Committee and 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

CV*
using the ESOR curriculum vitae template (.docx)
You can find here

Documentation of Recent Board Certification
Certification must be no more than 4 years old.

At least two Letters of Recommendation
Addressed to the Evaluation Committee from the head of department of the current training centre or a previously undertaken academic training

*Each candidate must submit their CV in the provided ESOR format. Differing CV formats will not be considered. Please note that only complete applications can be considered. To apply for, or renew, your ESR membership, please click here.