RANZCR: Scoping Out the Future for IR and INR

Interventional Radiology (IR) and Interventional Neuroradiology (INR) Training Pathway Working Group

Since the publication of the RANZCR Road Map for Advancing Interventional Radiology and Interventional Neuroradiology in Australia and New Zealand in February 2020, the Interventional Radiology Committee (IRC) has made significant progress towards achieving specialty recognition.

A key piece of work is the development of the College’s IR and INR training pathway, which builds upon the existing structures of the locally offered European Board of Interventional Radiology (EBIR) and Conjoint Committee for Recognition of Training in Interventional Radiology (CCINR). In this article, we share the progress made with this considerable project.

Currently, all College trainees develop a range of clinical competencies required for basic procedural practice (formerly Tier A procedures).

These skills also lay the foundation for advanced interventional practice for those radiologists who undertake further training through fellowships in IR or INR, procedural experience or through continuing professional development (CPD) activities after attaining Fellowship of The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists (FRANZCR).

The IR and INR Training Pathway Working Group was established by the IRC in August 2020 and tasked with developing an advanced training program for radiologists to pursue specialist IR and INR skills within a structured program beyond the scope of the College’s Clinical Radiology Training Program.

The membership of this working group comprises:

• College members who practise IR and INR across Australia and New Zealand

• Formal representation from the:

- The College Interventional Radiology Committee (IRC)

- Interventional Radiology Society of Australasia (IRSA)

- Australian and New Zealand Society of Neuroradiology (ANZSNR)

• Independent Medical Education expert.

The working group reports to the IRC with oversight provided by the Professional Practice Committee (PPC) under the leadership of the Faculty of Clinical Radiology (FCR) Council.

Once completed, the program will achieve many important objectives:

• Clearly define the specialty training curriculum and pathway to achieve specialist IR and INR qualifications in Australia and New Zealand

• Set the minimum requirements and quality standards for IR and INR fellows

• Ensure patients have access to safe, best-practice and high-quality IR and INR care

• Provide a qualified workforce with clinical and technical skills who are clinical leaders to meet current and future needs

• Complete an essential requirement for IR and INR to be registered and protected as distinct medical specialties recognised by the College and the respective regulatory bodies in Australia and New Zealand.

Projects in train

The working group has made some critical project developments to date including:

• an audit of audit of local (EBIR and CCINR) and international IR and INR training programs, allowing the working group to translate key learnings from these programs to the College’s pathway

• defining an Advanced Range of Practice (ARoP) which will clearly define the scope of practice for IR and INR, delineating it from other areas of medical specialisation.

The takeaways from these projects will guide the development of a training program, including learning outcomes, curriculum, assessment, an accreditation program and an evaluation framework.

When do College members have a say?

With the scale and complexity of developing this IR and INR training program, stakeholder engagement will be key to the success of this project. Important stakeholder consultations will be undertaken at key milestones along the project, the next consultation will be for seeking feedback on the Advanced Range of Practice for IR and INR.

What’s happening next: the working group will keep members informed of progress through College newsletters, eNews and the College website.

Your say: we welcome all feedback from the College membership on this exciting project, contact us at interventional@ranzcr.edu.au

Access the road map here: www.ranzcr.com/college/ document-library/a-road-map-foradvancing-ir-and-inr-in-australiaand-new-zealand-position-paper