Exchange Programme for
hybrid imaging fellowships
learn from the best
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 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 planning and evaluation, 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 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.
how to apply
To apply, please
- Log in to the MyUser Area of the ESR Website and select the button “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.
- To upload the Application Package as one single PDF file (max. 8MB). For details see below.
Please note:
One place is offered per year and organised through ESOR. The successful applicant receives a grant jointly provided by ESR/ESOR and ESHIMT.
- This exchange programme applies to radiologists within the first three-four years after certification, who desire to become subspecialist radiologists.
- 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.
- Applicants must be fluent in English.
- An active ESR and ESHIMT membership fee 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 in time because of longer waiting periods.)
All applicants must provide the following documents as a single PDF file:
01
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
03
Documentation of Recent Board Certification
Certification must be no more than 4 years old.
04
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 is required to submit the provided ESOR CV. Any application with another CV will not be considered. Please note that only complete applications can be considered. To apply for or renew your ESR membership please click here.
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 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.
Evaluation committee
Prof. Clemens Cyran | |
Prof. Johannes Rübenthaler |
