How can a new radiology trainee approach the level of knowledge required to complete the Fellow of the Royal College of Radiologists (FRCR) examinations and core radiology training?

The knowledge and skills required are broad, but the trainee is also required to know them in detail. Add to this the fact that much of this knowledge is new, as radiology, particularly the physics, is not well covered during medical school or foundation training. There is so much to cover, with so many possible resources out there. Books provide a lot of information, but can be difficult to digest and retain, and can become out of date quickly in such an ever-changing field. There are many online resources, but it is hard to know which to trust.

The Radiology Integrated Training Initiative (R-ITI) was developed by the Royal College of Radiologists in collaboration with Health Education England elearning for healthcare to address this issue. I have used it throughout my training and have been successful in all of my FRCR exams on first attempt and have progressed from core training into sub-specialty training satisfactorily.

The R-ITI modules cover all the required knowledge of the curriculum, and practical skills such as procedures. The interactive nature makes them more engaging, which is essential for long revision sessions! They also undergo regular review and updates, so as to remain relevant.

If you are finding the prospect of tackling the entirety of the FRCR syllabus daunting, then I would highly recommend looking at the R-ITI modules on offer, as a way of breaking it down into more manageable blocks. Alternatively, you may have a specific topic in your subspecialty interest that you have been struggling with, in which case you may wish to check the R-ITI library for an interactive module to help you.

Whatever your need, check with R-ITI first.

For more information about R-ITI, including details on how to access, visit: https://www.e-lfh.org.uk/programmes/radiology/.