How to choose an abdominal imaging fellowship

Abdominal Radiology https://doi.org/10.1007/s00261-021-03170-0 PRACTICE How to choose an abdominal imaging fellowship Derek C. Sun1 · Jean H. Lee2 Received: 6 March 2021 / Revised: 5 June 2021 / Accepted: 7 June 2021 © This is a U.S. government work and not under copyright protection in the U.S.; foreign copyright protection may apply 2021 Abstract Radiologists in training draw from their early experiences in residency when choosing a fellowship. Once they have decided on an abdominal imaging fellowship, applicants must learn to navigate the interview process. During this challenging time, applicants explore the difference in clinical curricula and rotations, meet potential mentors and clinical faculty, consider potential academic interests and projects, and choose what location they would like to train for one year after residency. When in training, fellows undergo the challenge of finding employment while learning new skills and refining their abilities to become a well-rounded radiologist and clinician. This article summarizes key points potential applicants should consider when deciding on an abdominal imaging fellowship, how to prepare for the interview season, and how to plan their fellowship year before fellows take the next step to becoming attendings. Keywords Fellowship · Education · Interview · Application · Abdominal Imaging · Job search Choosing an abdominal imaging fellowship can be challenging. The fast-paced application season can leave undecided trainees deliberating on their future subspecialty in their second year of residency feeling rushed, lost, or left behind. Recent developments have set uniform standards for the application process while giving residents sufficient time to choose their subspecialty and begin the necessary preparations for applications and interviews [1]. Even with these changes, deciding on where to apply and settling on a program is confusing [2]. Applicants must discern stark versus subtle differences in curriculum, rotations, and clinical strengths, and faculty, potentially having a significant impact on their future careers. The purpose of this article is to help guide undecided and potential applicants to review the key factors when choosing an abdominal fellowship. * Derek C. Sun Jean H. Lee 1 Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, University of California, San Francisco, 513 Parnassus Ave, S255, Box 0628, San Francisco, CA 94143‑0628, USA 2 Department of Radiology, University of Washington, Seattle, USA Applications Most fellowship program applications will require the applicant to submit a curriculum vitae (CV), 2–3 letters of recommendation, one of which may need to be provided by a residency program director, USMLE Transcripts, and a personal statement. Applicants should ask for help from other individuals to review their CVs and personal statements, as this may help improve these submissions or identify areas of confusion that may impact an applicant’s standing in the interview process. Interview season The Society of Chairs of Academic Radiology Departments (SCARD) formulated a policy for fellowship interviews implementing uniformity to the interview process while giving applicants time to decide on their subspecialty [1]. Before this policy, applicants could apply and accept offers as early as their second year of radiology residency [2]. As of this writing, programs start accepting applications from third-year DR residents or applicants further in training starting August 1 with interviews beginning on November 1 and ending on March 31. These rules apply to match and non-match programs. As Abdominal Imaging Fellowships fall into a non-match category, these programs can 13 Vol.:(0123456789) Abdominal Radiology offer positions for acceptances after interviews with a 7-day grace period for the applicant to accept or decline the offer. Once this 7-day period ends, a program can use that offer on another applicant. While the new system gives structure to the interview process, it also compresses the interview season to the fall and early winter due to the rolling admissions process. Popular programs may fill early, and the first two weeks are critical for applicants and programs to meet each other. Smaller popular programs may fill in the first week, while larger programs may hold numerous interviews in the first week when there are a larger pool applicants as people have yet to accept positions. Applicants should prepare early and schedule their top-choice programs as the earliest interviews, preferably in the first week of the season. This ensures that there will still be available spots for offers. Waiting or scheduling interviews later in the season runs the risk of interviewing with a program that is waiting on other applicants to return an offer or run the risk of interviews being canceled as the program has already filled, increasing uncertainty in navigating the interview season. Reaching out and emailing programs to express desired interest and following up the interview with questions can be beneficial. Lastly, when deciding on a fellowship, applicants should speak to current and possibly more importantly, former fellows that have a similar desired career track, whether academics, hybrid practice, or private practice, since these alumni can give the most insight into how the program prepared them for their jobs. What to look for in an abdominal imaging fellowship The purpose of a fellowship is to learn more about a subspecialty, which includes expanding core aspects of abdominal imaging and learning advanced topics to integrate these skills into one’s daily practice as an expert in this growing field. However, fellowships in abdominal imaging come in different varieties. Given the recent advances in radiology techniques and patient treatments, applicants should consider which aspects they would need to focus on to round out their education. Exciting developments in imaging of deep infiltrative endometriosis, prostate cancer, hepatic evaluation, and rectal cancer have piqued significant interest from all aspects of medicine while imagers capable of reading these studies are sought out for potential employment [3]. Because abdominal imaging often overlaps with many medical subspecialties, applicants should consider programs supplying a multidisciplinary and multimodality approach to maximize their exposure. This proves beneficial when radiologists understand the impact of their interpretations on management options and patient outcomes. A common misconception among trainees is that fellowship should 13 primarily focus on MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging), as residents often feel they will need more experience. While MRI plays a vital role in imaging, radiologists must understand the challenges of interpreting medical imaging across all modalities to increase their knowledge. Applicants may overlook the importance of US (Ultrasound) and CT (Computed Tomography) in evaluating disease (...truncated)