Radiology

Course details

The training programme is a structured programme that leads to the Fellowship of the Faculty of Radiologyof the Royal College of Surgeons of Ireland (FFR. RCSI) or of the Royal College of Radiologist. United Kingdom (FRCR) or both. The Departments of Radiology. Mubarak. Al-Amiri and Al-Sabah hospitals have been recognised for postgraduate fellowship training since 1986. The specialty of Clinical Radiology includes all aspects of medical imaging and Interventional radiology. The training consists of two parts.

PART I TRAINING

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

All trainees must be medically qualified and must have had a minimum of 2 years post-qualificationexperience, including the pre-registration one year house officer’s appointment. They must also be successful in an interview conducted jointly by KIMS and the Faculty of the Royal College of Surgeons of Ireland.

The period of training lasts for a minimum 9 months and comprises Physics, Radiological Anatomy and Radiological techniques.

The important aspects of the Part I training are as follows:

• Clearly defined structure with constant supervision of the trainee by tutors
• Didactic lectures and teaching sessions by lecturers from Dublin, supplemented by recognised local tutors
• Short periods of rotation in the various sub specialties e.g. Interventional radiology. Nuclear medicine etc.

Log Books

• These are mandatory for documenting all procedures conducted and or observed by the trainee. They play a very important role in the assessment of trainees.

Continuous assessment

• The progress of trainees is evaluated by regular assessment. Evaluation is by a points system, based on the following criteria: attendance, punctuality, enthusiasm; diligence. MCQs, Log Book, and amock examination. Any trainee who scores less than 50 points out of a maximum possible of 100 points, after a period of 3 months will be required to withdraw from the programme.

• A mock examination is conducted by the Faculty of the Royal College of Surgeons of Ireland one month before the Part I Examination.

• At the end of the Part I training, the trainee should feel convinced of the correctness of his or her choice of Clinical Radiology as a career. He or she should have become fully familiar with the concepts and terminology of diagnostic and Interventional radiology, and he or she should have become familiar and have good knowledge of the various contrast media and drugs, their indications and contraindications, and in the treatment of theirreactions and complications. He/She should be fully conversant with the principles of radiation protection. cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Ultrasonography, computed topography (CT) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). He/Sheshould have become competent in performing radiological and radiograhic procedures, in basic reporting and basic clinical audit.

PART IFFR/FRCR EXAMINATION

The trainee will be examined in Physics, Radiology Anatomy and Radiological techniques. The examination consists of MCQs, essay, film viewing and orals. The examination is held in Dublin and Kuwait simultaneously.

PART II TRAINING

Part II training is usually commenced after the successful completion of Part I.

The training is structured and is conducted in the 3 recognised hospitals. During this period, training is given in all specialties of Clinical Radiology, the framework of which includes the following:

• Didactic lectures and teaching sessions in all aspects of clinical radiology, ie General Radiology, system-based specialities and technique based specialities. Lecturers from the Irish faculty and local tutors participate in these teaching sessions.
• Rotation in designated hospitals for the acquisition of experience in the various sub specialities. The period of rotation varies, but is usually between 4 to 8 weeks. 
• Regular assessment of all trainees to determine the experience gained, and skill developed, to identify and correct any deficiencies in knowledge and experience and to offer appropriate counseling. Standard assessment forms are available.

Daily departmental duties:

These form an integral and very important part of the structured training. At all stages, the trainee is rigidly supervised by tutors and senior members of staff. In this way, the trainee achieves confidence in interpreting radiographs and in performing radiological and radiographic procedures including modem cross-sectional imaging. Morning departmental and other inter-departmental meetings form part of this training.

On-Call rota:

The trainee participates in his or her department’s on-call rota and he or she is responsible to the Senior colleague or consultant on-call.

Reading:

The trainee is expected to supplement his/her standard reading (Sutton and or Allison and Grainger) with journals e.g. Radiologic Clinics of North America, Clinical Radiology etc and other appropriate texts.

AFIP:

Trainees may attend the six-weeks AFIP course in the United States as part of the Part II Training.

PART II FFR/FRCR EXAMINATION

At the end of the 2 years part II training the trainee is eligible to sit for the Part II FFR FRCR Examination. The FFR Part II (Ireland) involves Clinical Radiology and consists of MCQs. Essay. Reporting Session. Elm viewing and Orals. The Part II FRCR (United Kingdom) consists of two parts. A and B. Part A (Written) is MCQs only. Part B which can be taken 6 months after Part A consists of Reporting Session. Elm Mewing Session and Orals.

Trainees taking the Part II examination must:

• Have attained the appropriate level of knowledge in all aspects of Clinical Radiology. Interventional Radiology and Nuclear Medicine.
• Have good knowledge in clinical medicine, pathology and physiology relevant to Radiology.
• Be familiar with current trends and recent advances in Clinical Radiology.
• Be familiar with basic research methodology, clinical audit, medical ethics and communication skills.