RANZCR: Clinical Radiology Trainee Matters

The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists (RANZCR) Inside News September 2020

As much of Australia and New Zealand goes through the cold winter months, we are used to hearing about seasonal influenza and its often sizable seasonal impact—and being jealous of the warm northern states we all wish we could holiday in right now.

Instead, the news across the globe has been dominated by a once-in-100-year pandemic. With promising vaccine trials underway and many brilliant scientific minds around the world working hard to develop treatments, perhaps a future where COVID-19 is low risk and manageable is not too far away.

The College has now announced examination dates and formats for October and November this year. This will be a welcome relief for many of you, who have had disruption to your progress over the last six months by the cancellation of the first sitting this year.

A lot of work has gone into ensuring these examinations are deliverable in the current climate of an evolving pandemic and changing restrictions by state and even micro-jurisdiction in some areas.

From a trainee’s perspective, I would encourage you to keep the following points in mind:

• Examinations will be as close to the typical format as possible, so study and prepare the content as usual.

• Updates and changes may come as the level of restrictions changes in each local area. As outlined in the email update from the Chief Censor, a contingency plan exists should an area be under high-level restrictions. Please check your email frequently so you do not miss an announcement.

• Directors of Training and the Branch Education Officer in your local area will be closely involved in the delivery of examinations this year, so please check for their instructions and announcements.

• Given the disruptions this year, unsuccessful candidates in the October/November 2020 sitting will be automatically granted an additional attempt (that is, this sitting will not accrue towards the maximum of four allowable attempts). This is an extension of goodwill in acknowledgement of the interruptions, changes in work and study environment and personal stress that have affected all trainees this year. Please also keep in mind that the typical outcome of successful applications for special consideration in examinations is granting of an additional attempt, which is being granted automatically in this case.

If you have any questions, I encourage you to speak to your Director of Training or contact the trainee committee at the email below.

Finally, with all the damage done to the bottom line of many public and private hospitals and radiology practices, make sure you don’t take shortcuts on your own personal protection. Much like your parents, we would love to hear from you more often!

Please feel free to email the Clinical Radiology Trainee Committee (CRTC) at clinicalradtc@gmail.com with your thoughts, questions, and feedback.

Dr Matthew Lukies

Chair, CRTC 2020

Twitter: @matt_lukies