Interventional radiology training – a bright future!

Created - 12.09.2013

The new vascular surgical training curriculum has been accepted by the GMC and the first twenty trainees will be recruited in 2013. It is envisaged that they will likely not start endovascular training until 2015. The exact level of training needed has not yet been defined and is likely to be open to interpretation locally.

The impact that this will have on IR trainees in the UK therefore is as yet undetermined but has caused us, as a committee, some sleepless nights worrying for the future of interventional radiology (IR) trainees and training! We were extremely pleased therefore to see the publication of an open letter to BSIR members in November 2012 highlighting that priority in training must be given to IR trainees who should have protected training slots. In addition any proposed vascular surgical training must be signed off by the local radiology training programme director (TPD) to ensure there is no impact on those established training posts. We, as a committee, hope that these points will be adhered to and we will continue to work towards improving IR training in the UK and ensuring a robust and secure training environment.

At present there is a definite lack of IR trainees in the UK with many unfilled consultant posts. Recent estimates by the BSIR suggest that there is a shortfall of nearly 200 consultants; an extremely large number I’m sure you would agree! To make things more difficult it has not been easy to define the actual numbers of IR trainees within the UK at present. Our BSIRT survey 2012 helped in this regard showing the current numbers of trainees through ST1-6 across the country; however despite this the data is still scant. Initial estimates suggest the need for 55-60 IR trainees per year in the UK. If this is true then we are severely under-resourced at present and an urgent expansion in dedicated IR National Training Numbers (NTNs) is needed. The RCR has pledged 20 extra radiology NTNs per year in the UK, however these will be spread through breast, paediatrics and IR. Despite this increase we will need an even greater boost in the numbers of dedicated IR NTNs than we have currently to ensure that there are sufficient numbers of IR trainees to fill the gap in consultant posts for the future.

Following on from work within the RCR/BSIR/VSS Liaison group there has been a move to improve IR training in the UK through improvements in the IR curriculum. This focuses on the clinical training aspect of the IR curriculum in particular increased training in outpatient clinics and ward work, to ensure that we are a more clinically focussed speciality. The changes will also concentrate on other areas of training including basic surgical skills for IR such as femoral cut downs and endovenous work. We look forward to the publication of this later in the year.

Another focus this year has been to improve the training aspect of the annual meeting for IR trainees and junior BSIR members. On the Friday afternoon of the conference there will now be a dedicated foundation course specifically aimed at junior members. The cost of this will be part of the annual meeting fee and will involve focussed sessions on vascular and non vascular IR by leading UK experts in their fields. It will also incorporate training sessions on the simulators and industry kit practice sessions. There will be a certificate provided to all junior BSIR members attending. Details will be distributed later in the year when there will be a call for attendees.

Further interesting news from the BSIRT committee is that we have recently co-opted two medical student representatives onto the committee to help in our drive towards better links with medical schools and students in the UK. Their aim is to improve the awareness and involvement in IR for medical students. This is an area that is severely lacking in most medical school curricula. We hope through this initiative to improve awareness of IR for medical students and hopefully inspire a new generation of IR trainees to apply for our exciting speciality. The contact details of the new representatives are on the BSIR junior section of the website and if you do have any medical students or foundation year doctors who are interested in IR please point them in our direction!

In summary we feel as a committee that the future for IR training is bright despite some envisaged threats from other specialities. As a committee we will continue working towards ensuring the best for IR trainees in the UK.

Steve Goode, Chair BSIRT Committee