Exchange Programme for Hybrid Imaging Fellowships 2022

 

Application open until 15 March 2022

 

ESOR, in partnership with ESHIMT, has organised one spot in an Exchange Programme for a Hybrid Imaging Fellowship, which is aimed at rounding off educational requirements for subspecialty training. The programme is structured and mentored.

Available centres:

  • Munich / Germany: Klinikum der Universität München, Ludwig–Maximilians–Universität München
  • Cambridge / United Kingdom: University of Cambridge, School of Clinical Medicine
APPLICATION IS OPEN

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 ESHIMT, in a pre-selected European reference training centre.

 

Number of available places

During 2022, 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 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 ESHIMTmembership fees for 2022 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 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 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 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, 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.

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 trainee receives a certificate from ESR/ESOR and ESHIMT. In order to receive this, the fellow must present a written report about his/her work and activities during the programme.

HOW TO APPLY

To apply for the programme, applicants must:

  • To log into the  ESR MyUserArea – MyESOR 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:
  1.  Letter of motivation 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.)
  2. CV – It is mandatory to use this template: ESOR curriculum vitae template* otherwise the applicaiton will not be considered
  3. A certificate verifying recent board certification in radiology (no longer than three-four years ago)
  4. Letters of recommendation from the head of department of the current training centre or a previously undertaken academic training​​

 

Application period: February 24 – March 15

APPLICATION IS OPEN