Course review

Vascular imaging study day course

Authors: Jakub Kaczynski

Publication date: 05 Apr 2012

Trainees in vascular surgery are expected to be competent in performing endovascular procedures and vascular imaging techniques, but currently there is no formal vascular imaging teaching in the surgical curriculum. The vascular imaging study day provided by the Royal College of Radiologists is an opportunity for surgical trainees to bridge this gap. The course is aimed primarily at radiology trainees, but core and higher surgical trainees would also benefit from attending the course.

Why did you do it?

Vascular surgery is rapidly evolving, and there is an increasing demand for vascular trainees to be trained in imaging and interventional techniques, including angioplasty and endovascular aneurysm repair. I attended the course to develop an understanding of present and potential vascular imaging techniques.

How much effort did it entail, and what did it cover?

No preparation is needed for this one day course, and there is no examination.

The course starts with a general overview of the foundations of vascular and endovascular techniques and is run in a lecture format.

I found six of the eight lectures extremely useful, as they not only described the basic knowledge but more importantly explained how to respond and deal with a variety of emergency vascular situations. These sessions covered:

Developments in computed tomography angiography and non-contrast magnetic resonance imaging
Developments in stroke and ischaemic foot imaging
Imaging and management of vascular trauma and abdominal aortic aneurysm (including screening)

The other two lectures, covering recent developments in imaging of the coronary arteries and neuroendocrine tumours, did not directly relate to my job and so were not as useful but did offer a stimulating overview of the subspecialty area of interventional radiology.

In addition to the discussions after lectures, the usual tea and coffee breaks were an excellent opportunity to discuss the sessions further with a wide range of nationally acclaimed faculty.

The course materials included the teaching points of each of the lectures along with a list of key references.

How much did it cost?

The fee for the non-member trainee is £140, which includes tea and coffee, a hot lunch, and course materials.

Was it worth it?

I would recommend this course to surgical trainees, in particular to those who are interested in vascular surgery. Acquiring endovascular and imaging skills takes a considerable amount of time, however, and the one day format of this course will not be enough to provide all the information. As well as covering all the core vascular areas from the imaging point of view, the course also covers the management of the patient, including various treatment options, and gives an opportunity to explore areas of vascular surgery that are currently not covered in the training.

Further information

The course is held once a year in London and is provided by the Royal College of Radiologists. For further details look under “Events” on the college’s website (www.rcr.ac.uk).

Competing interests: None declared.

Jakub Kaczynski specialist registrar in vascular surgery, ABM University Health Board, Morriston Hospital, Swansea, UK

jakub.kaczynski@hotmail.co.uk

Cite this as BMJ Careers ; doi: