Exchange Programme for Hybrid Imaging Fellowships 2020

Aim

The indications for hybrid imaging are 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 visualize a variety of biochemical changes on the molecular scale. Hybrid imaging in oncology is mainly used for staging but also for tissue characterization, treatment planning and evaluation, and follow-up.

The Exchange Programme for Hybrid Imaging Fellowship offers an opportunity to complement training in this field of radiology and nuclear medicine. The three-month exchange will provide intense modular training in PET/CT, SPECT/CT, and PET/MR, and you will also learn about radiochemistry production of tracers, 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 ESHI^MT, in a pre-selected European reference training centre.

Number of available places

During 2020, one programme will be offered and organised through ESOR and the successful applicant will receive a grant jointly provided by ESHI^MT and ESR/ESOR.

Eligibility

1. This exchange programme applies to imaging specialists within the first three years after certification.

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 medicolegal 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, whereas, clinical experience in oncology (medical, surgical, radiation therapy) is of benefit.

3. Applicants must be proficient in English.

4. ESR and ESHI^MTmembership fees for 2020 must be settled.

Applicants who were selected for this programme in the past cannot be considered for a second time.

Duration and funding

The training will start in the second half of the year and last for three months. The fellow will receive a grant 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 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 and radiotracers and will gain knowledge about the cyclotron and radiochemistry production. He/she will then obtain in-depth knowledge about imaging examinations used for diagnosis/staging and follow-up of oncologic cases. He/she will learn to review and interpret images through case-by-case hands-on teaching  by experienced staff, utilizing routine clinical cases from different hybrid imaging modalities.

The training institutions expose 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 modality and imaging technique with referring clinicians and be able to interpret the most common oncologic hybrid imaging examinations on his/her own.

In non-native English speaking training centres, teaching would be in English, while major 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 trainee receives a certificate from ESR/ESOR and ESHI^MT. In order to receive this, the fellow must present a written report about his/her work and activities during the programme.