Radiology
Radiology Training is broadly similar across all the training schemes in London and offers a combination of teaching hospital and district general hospital experience.
Curriculum and Training
The curriculum includes basic training delivered through ST1-3 with options for subspecialty training in ST4-5. A lecture course is run by the Royal College of Radiologists covering the core elements of the Yr 1-3 curriculum including Physics and Radiation safety. This is supplemented by lectures and tutorials delivered within each programme. Competencies and personal development plans are recorded in a portfolio.
Full details are available from the RCR website www.rcr.ac.uk
Examinations
In order to obtain a CCT, the FRCR examination must be passed.
This involves Part 1, a basic physics and radiation safety examination, usually taken at the first opportunity after commencing training. Only 3 attempts are possible.
The Final FRCR is divided into two parts. The part A MCQ examination comprising 6 modules which may be taken in any combination after 18 months of clinical radiology training and the First FRCR have been completed. Candidates are permitted to enter the Final FRCR Part B Examination once they have passed all six modules of Part A and three years of clinical radiology training have been completed
Subspecialty Training
This is usually delivered ‘in house’ during the fourth and fifth years. Currently there are also year 6 training programmes in interventional radiology, neuroradiology and nuclear medicine. Opportunities do arise to compete for specific subspecialty opportunities which are advertised within the London Network or nationally. These include training at Speciality specific hospitals such as Great Ormond Street, The Royal Marsden Hospital, The Royal Brompton Hospital and The Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital. Neuroradiology and Nuclear Medicine subspecialty training (dual CCT with RCP) are subject to National competitive interview although Radionuclide radiology is not and may form one year of the subspecialty years.
Out of Programme Experience
Trainees wishing to undertake research or training outside their training programme can do this with deanery and college approval. For this to count towards CCT a prospective application to PMETB must be made by the deanery.
Educational Support
Programme directors are supported by College tutors based at each hospital delivering teaching and clinical tutors responsible for each module of teaching delivered.
Contracts, Terms and Condidtions
Trainees have a contract of employment with their employing trust and an educational contract with the Deanery. The banding payments for out of hours work vary between trusts. The time for starting on call also varies between training programmes.
Other useful sources of information
Society of Radiologists in Training
The Society of Radiologists in Training (SRT) was founded in 1993 under the auspices of the Royal College of Radiologists. The society is a non-profit making organisation, run by radiology trainees specifically to promote radiology training and education in the UK. www.thesrt.org.uk
Aunt Minnie.com
This is an online radiology news portal with case of the day.
Radiological Society of North America
The Radiological Society of North America is a professional membership society committed to excellence in patient care through education and research. More than 40,000 medical imaging professionals are members of RSNA, including radiologists, radiation oncologists, medical physicists and allied scientists.
RSNA hosts the world's largest annual radiology meeting, publishes two highly respected peer-reviewed journals, offers opportunities to earn CME, and provides research and education grants to young investigators. www.rsna.org