Winter Is Here: Clinical Radiology Application Updates
Our juicy hot take on the changes to the 2023 radiology application cycle. What it means for you and how to smash it, the RadCast way.
Winter is here. Brace yourselves RadCasters. For tomorrow, on the 3rd of November 2022 (10am, GMT) the perilous journey begins. Only the bravest will endure the perils. Only the strongest will conquer the heinous fiend that is the MSRA. Only the true will enter radiology Valhalla to be blessed with a never ending stream of Nespresso, the esteemed right to use the phrase ‘clinical correlation is advised’ and to be forever confused for not being a ‘real doctor’ (I’m looking at you mum). But for now, gather your thoughts with us at this campfire as we strategically prepare for battle. Our first conquest: the radiology portfolio. So, sharpen your swords, axes and light-sabres. Let’s begin.
Breaking Down The Portfolio Changes
From first glance, it seems that the RCR were ‘inspired’ by the RCS and decided to do a madness and YOLO when it came to the portfolio. Having reviewed it at length, it’s important to realise that whilst it can be frustrating at first, it actually may play to your benefit. You see, after comparing it to the prior portfolio scoring criteria, they’ve really shifted their focus to awarding points for radiology related initiatives. Now recently we discussed how CST was now using the MSRA which potentially could have triggered a large influx of “backup” radiology applications. This new portfolio scoring criteria may act to buffer that to some degree. How? Well, based on the changes, it rewards candidates who have done radiology specific projects. This is good because well, it shows you’re serious about a career in radiology. Now, you may ask “I’ve done a project that has imaging, is that radiology”. Yup, it is. So don’t feel too disheartened if it isn’t a pure radiology project since those really don’t exist (unless it’s IR). Provided it has some imaging component, it’ll count.
Moving forward, we’re now going to walk you through each of the portfolio domains and outline what it means and how you can maximise your points with the limited time available.
Domain 1: Commitment To Specialty
Evidently, the RCR are looking for candidates who have had as much exposure to the “work” of a radiologist as possible within radiology departments. Now, in the scoring criteria, they outline a few ways to showcase this and after reviewing it together at RadCast HQ, we’ve thought of a few high yield ways to smash this domain
Do a taster week in a District General Hospital (DGH) AND Tertiary Referral Centre - the fact it’s mentioned in the scoring criteria means it’ll count. So if you’ve done a DGH taster week, go do one in a tertiary referral centre (and vice versa). Make sure it’s 3 days.
Include any radiology projects you have done in this domain - I’m talking audits, quality improvement projects and research (clinical). Why? Because by doing these projects, you’ve had to review how a radiologist works e.g. access reports via CRIS, look at scans on PACS and present at audit/research meetings. But just make sure you get this evidenced in the letter/certificate so the assessors have no doubts.
Get evidence of any radiology placements you’ve done in medical school - did a rotation with the breast surgeon and accidentally ended up observing the breast radiologist reporting in the darkness? Get evidence of it. Getting told your anatomy sucks by the orthopods but ended up shadowing the ever so friendly, and filthy rich, MSK radiologist? Get evidence of it. Remember, through all of these exposures, you’ve learned more about the work of a clinical radiologist and they are all different from one another. Just make sure to get evidence of it.
Domain 2: Leadership and Management
Yeeeessssh. Talk about a curveball. But we move.
Honestly, not much you can do here. You either have it or you don’t. If you held a significant role of a society at med school, even if it was the ‘reenactment of historical battles in the Viking era’ society, then get evidence of it. Make sure it’s specific i.e. just saying you were the best at dual-wielding Viking swords isn’t enough. Focus more on your role, your impact and your output. Remember, the minimum time frame is 6 months so unless you have a time machine, not much you can do here.
For those of you applying for the 2024 cycle, get cracking on this ASAP! We’re working on something but this won’t be ready for the 2023 cohort (sorry).
Domain 3 & 4: Teaching & Training, Formal Teaching Qualifications
For the first time ever, the teaching domain has been split into evidence of teaching and evidence of training separately.
In terms of the teaching, the top marks are given to those of you who have made a major contribution to a national or international teaching programme. Now, for those of you who are on the MedEd course, you would have access to contributing to our national/international teaching programme. Provided you have delivered more than 1 teaching session, as per the newest marking criteria, you’re eligible to get full marks. If you’ve only done one and want to do more teaching sessions or you’re interested in learning more, please do email us via the button below (ASAP).
Similarly, if you’re struggling to get evidence of training in teaching methods (Domain 4), then we’ve got you covered with our MedEd programme (www.radcast.co.uk/courses/meded101). Since we want to support as many of you as possible, we’ve opened up enrollments once more. Please note, in the interests of time, we’ve consolidated our course so it satisfies the 2 days criteria but please let us know ASAP as time is limited.
Domain 5: Audit & Quality Improvement
At first glance, this seems very similar to previous cycles but there are 3 major changes.
Top marks only accessible if radiology related - as is the case with most things in radiology, we’re talking about projects that have imaging in them but now, it explicitly states “major part of the project”.
Top marks if there has been a change in practice - this is very interesting and highlights how closed cycle audits get more brownie points than half-cycle audits. Specifically, you need to show that on closing the audit cycle, you noted an improvement in clinical standards being met. Or if you’re doing a quality improvement project, the “quality metric” you were evaluating has been improved e.g. patient satisfaction scores with the taste of their tea on the ward.
Top marks if you have a major role - in previous cycles, the wording for this was quite ambiguous. Well, that isn’t the case anymore. In fact, the RCR have been quite specific and we advise all candidates to try and get either ALL the wording (or most of it) on their letters and certificates i.e. get it to say that you played a major part in the “conception, data collection, analysis and presentation”. Remember, make the assessors life easier.
If you’re struggling with audit ideas, check out the RCR’s AuditLive via the button below.
Domain 6: Academic Achievements
As we’ve been saying, intercalated and additional undergraduate degrees no longer get any points (R.I.P). You only now get points for postgraduate research degrees e.g. PhD/MD/MRes.
Moving forward, there are a few takeaways from this domain:
Top marks for radiology related publications - as was the case with the audit/QIP section, radiology related projects get you the top points (especially if you’re the first author).
Audits/QIP can be included here - in previous application cycles, the presentations you did at conferences on your audit/QIP couldn’t be included in this domain. That’s changed meaning you can now put forward your audit/QIP presentations to get points. We definitely recommend you do this if they’re radiology related projects.
Domain 7: Prizes & Awards
This is a totally new domain with prizes being part of the “additional degrees” domain in previous iterations. Few takeaway points:
Undergraduate and postgraduate prizes/awards count - in previous years, you only got points for undergraduate prizes. Not anymore. Postgraduate prizes count too e.g. most skilled FY1 at doing TTO’s award
Graduating with distinctions/honours counts - this wasn’t really a thing in previous cycles but once again, if you graduated with distinctions/honours (like Muhammad the nerd) then make sure to get this included. Just make sure you get the criteria for this distinction/honours clearly outlined on official letter headed paper from your med school.
We have national prizes up for grabs - if you weren’t aware already, we have 4 national prizes up for grabs. Two come from our Radiology Crash Course and the remaining two from our Clinical Radiology Application Course. The successful candidates will be informed prior to the application window closing meaning they can claim for the points for winning a national prize in this domain. You can sign up via the buttons below:
Our Final Thoughts
Probably, most of you are pissed off with the changes. We totally get it. Changes made at the last minute means you’re often unable to do anything to strengthen your portfolio. This is especially true for the leadership & management domain. Once again, we feel your pain. So what can you do about it? Here’s our RadCast tips:
Focus on MSRA - take all your rage, anger and immense resentment and direct it towards slaying the MSRA. Like we mean go full God of War Kratos on this sh*t. Remember, it’s used to shortlist you for interview and is going to be used to rank you in the end (alongside portfolio and interview).
Get the high yield last minute points - we’ve outlined these opportunities in the email and now, it’s entirely up to you whether you avail them or not. If you think it’ll be too much stress, just focus on MSRA.
Buy a large punching bag, staple Uzoma’s face on to it and unleash your fury - very therapeutic, we don’t dispute that, but probably not going to help you in the long run.
Smash your interview - once you get shortlisted to interview, it’s important you nail your interview. If you’re interested in our 1-to-1 interview sessions, make sure to register your interest by completing the short survey via the button below.
All in all, over analysis will lead to paralysis (we’re becoming more like those productivity YouTuber’s everyday). Identify your weak spots, plan your action and then execute. If you feel that there isn’t much you can do based on our advice, then focus now on MSRA. But whatever you do, don’t give up.
We hope the above has been useful and as always, please feel free to email us via hello@radcast.co.uk if you need anything clarified.
Till next time RadCasters,
From your “the clinicians-clinician” friends,
Uzoma, Jamie and Muhammad