The FC Rad Diag(SA): Stretched, but still in step – Report on a Royal College observership

A delegation of the College of Radiologists of the overarching Colleges of Medicine of South Africa observed the spring sitting of the Part 2B Examination of the Fellowship of the Royal College of Radiologists (FRCR) in London, in April 2016. Although the principal focus of the Observership was the Part 2B examination, the delegates also assessed broader aspects of the FRCR. This report presents an overview of current FRCR practices, including the findings of an independent review of the FRCR, and reflects on the implications for the South African Fellowship examination. The report is based on discussions with key Royal College role players, direct observation of the Part 2B examination and web-based documentation. It allows appreciation of the continued close alignment of the FC Rad Diag(SA) (Fellowship of the College of Radiologists of the Colleges of Medicine of South Africa) with the FRCR and highlights expected trends in the FC Rad Diag(SA). It also documents the increasing human resources required for successful conduct of examinations. It is hoped that the report will be of interest and relevance to the broad South African radiological community and to those contemplating specialist training in the discipline. It is trusted that it will encourage wider involvement of radiological and medical physics colleagues in the various FC Rad Diag(SA) examination processes.