Exchange Programme for
Abdominal radiology fellowships
learn from the best
The application of new technologies to abdominal and gastrointestinal radiology has resulted in amazing breakthroughs, with rapid development and refinement of sophisticated diagnostic imaging tests. These advances over the past decade have affected the requirements for the practice of abdominal radiology.
The Exchange Programme for Abdominal Radiology Fellowship offers an opportunity to complement subspecialisation training in abdominal radiology or an existing structured fellowship programme. It provides intense modular training in all areas of abdominal radiology, including conventional radiology, fluoroscopy, sonography, CT, MRI, image-guided biopsies, and therapeutic interventions.
This programme is organised through ESOR and will expose trainees to all aspects of abdominal radiology under the supervision of an assigned ESGAR mentor, in a pre-selected European reference training centre.
Application deadline: March 17, 2025
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).
Please note:
Five places will be offered and organised through ESOR. Successful applicants will receive a grant jointly provided by ESR/ESOR and ESGAR.
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 with regard to cross-sectional imaging. Competence in producing a radiological 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 diagnostic radiology 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 gastroenterology, oncology or visceral surgery would be a benefit.
Applicants must be fluent, and provide all documentation, in English.
Active ESR and ESGAR memberships are required.
PLEASE NOTE:
- Applicants who were selected for this programme in the past cannot be considered for a second time.
- You may apply to apply to one programme, and one topic, only.
- Candidates may only apply to institutions outside of their country of residence / work. No exceptions can be made.
- The selected candidates will be asked to provide additional documents to the training centre for administrative purposes.
- Selected candidates are asked to apply for their own work permits and insurance. Please consider potentially long visa application waiting times when applying. Training centres will provide assistance.
- All applications will be carefully reviewed by an evaluation committee after the submission deadline.
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
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.
Duration of Fellowship 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. They will then learn to become proficient at imaging examinations used to diagnose abdominal diseases, to review and interpret images, followed by case-by-case hands-on teaching on routine clinical cases with different modalities from experienced staff.
The training institutions expose each trainee to at least 250 mentored imaging studies (fluoroscopy and/or sonography and/or CT and/or MRI). Training shall be delivered by a mentor in the interpretation of 100 imaging studies from an established teaching file or previous cases. 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 different abdominal imaging examinations on their 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 ESGAR.
Evaluation committee
Sofia Gourtsoyianni | |
Musturay Karcaaltincaba | |
Giuseppe Brancatelli |
