HealthManagement, Volume 13 - Issue 1, 2013


Images credit: European Board of Radiology


An initiative of the European Society of Radiology (ESR), the European Diploma in Radiology (EDiR) examines candidates on the knowledge outlined in the ESR’s training curriculum. The EDiR is now administered and issued by the European Board of Radiology (EBR) and consists of a written and an oral examination. The first candidates took the exam at the European Congress of Radiology in Vienna in 2011. Candidates have also been able to take the exam in conjunction with the major radiology congresses in France and Spain.

 

Why was the Diploma developed?

The Diploma was developed for a number of reasons:

• To support the ESR in its promotion of standardised and high levels of radiologic care to patients throughout Europe;

• To provide an objective standard of radiologic knowledge for radiologists who have trained in various countrie

throughout Europe;

• To evaluate knowledge of radiology for ESR members as outlined in the ESR training curriculum;

• To validate an acceptable knowledgebase as outlined in the ESR training curriculum for corresponding members of the ESR;

• To enable employing authorities or departments to evaluate the knowledge base of a candidate about whom acquaintance with their training base is limited;

• For individual radiologists to provide a challenge and objective mechanism for self-evaluation and career development;

• By providing an ESR endorsed qualification, to facilitate procedures in the context of medical migration. Nowadays a number of other specialties operate a Pan-European examination. For certain subjects this has become recognised as equivalent to national exit specialty examinations. It was seen as time that radiology would join this movement.

 


Images credit: European Board of Radiology


Aren’t educational standards for radiologists across Europe already quite similar?

Though the overall standard is good, significant variability remains.

 

How does the EDiR fit with subspecialty diplomas?

The EDiR examination tests general radiology. It is the ESR view that subspecialisation in radiology should be built upon a good and adequate general radiology background. Thus the relationship between EDiR and subspecialty diplomas is viewed in the context of a step-wised progress from general to subspecialty radiology training.

 

What are the advantages to the radiologist who has just completed his/her national training in taking an additional qualification?

The advantages are many. Taking the EDiR enhances the radiologist’s career path and demonstrates a career profile of self-improvement through a voluntary self-assessment. The diploma provides the individual radiologist with the opportunity to compare his or her radiologic knowledge with that as set down by the EBR and based on the curriculum of the ESR. In the context of migration it provides confirmation of an EBR provided and ESR/ European Union of Medical Specialists (UEMS) endorsed standard of knowledge in general radiology.


Images credit: European Board of Radiology

 

Recently, the oral examination has been made available in languages other than English. Which languages?

So far the oral examination has been available in Spanish and French. EBR anticipates roll-out of the oral component of the examination to be made available in other European languages, the venue coinciding with national congresses in European countries. Poland and Turkey are the next venues for this roll-out. The written component will continue to be held in English reflecting its status as the international language of medicine.

 

What are the next steps?

The next steps are geared to increasing the acceptance of EDiR as a robust, European standard of radiological knowledge with acceptance at national registration level, and a global influence as a radiologic qualification.



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