The European Diploma in Radiology (EDiR): investing in the future of the new generations of radiologists

Abstract

This review aims to describe the organisation and the content of the European Diploma in Radiology (EDiR). The EDiR examination is available to radiologists and radiology residents in their last year of training. It certifies that their levels of knowledge and competency are in line with the ESR European Training Curriculum for Radiology (ETC) of the European Society of Radiology (ESR). The EDiR is an additional qualification of excellence, which serves the standardisation and accreditation of radiologists across European borders. It provides an international benchmark for general radiology and is officially and fully endorsed by the European Union of Medical Specialists (UEMS) and the ESR. The EDiR is recognised as an equivalent of the Polish exit training examination, the first part of the Turkish board examination and the image interpretation part of the Finnish national examination. Moreover, in order to practice radiology in The Netherlands, trainees must either pass their national board examination or the EDiR. It has significant value in many other countries. The examination consists of three parts: Multiple Response Questions (MRQs), Short Cases (SCs) and the Clinically Oriented Reasoning Evaluation (CORE). The committees that form the EDiR Scientific Board follow a structured workflow to prepare each examination, ensuring an adequate peer review system for quality assurance. KEY POINTS: • EDiR helps to standardise radiology training. • EDiR is an international certification method established across Europe. • Ideally all training programmes should embrace EDiR as exit examination after completing their training period. • The EDiR exam consists of multiple response questions, short cases and the Clinically Oriented Reasoning Evaluation.

Keywords: Accreditation; Certification; Examination; Residency programme; Training programme.

Fig. 1

Candidates by continent

Fig. 2

Structure of the examination

Fig. 3

Evolution of EDiR over the years