The Department of Diagnostic Radiology sponsors a one-year fellowship-training program in Thoracoabdominal Radiology. Candidates must have completed an accredited diagnostic radiology residency-training program and be board eligible. A license to practice medicine in the state of Minnesota is encouraged. Applicants expressing a desire to pursue an academic career will be given preference for acceptance. Fellowship trainees receive diagnostic and intervention training in the following areas:
Because of the large volume of procedures, the program is capable of providing excellent training. Every effort is made to ensure that fellows obtain a wide exposure to, and have a good understanding of the different techniques, indications, contraindications and complications. Residents and fellows share the responsibility of pre-procedure evaluation and consent of patients, with fellows taking the lead or primary operator role in the more complicated procedures.
There is a direct one-on-one working relationship/supervision between the fellow and the residents. In each individual case there is, in addition, a staff radiologist in attendance to provide assistance with any problems that may arise.
Fellows participate in the pre- and post-procedure discussion of the cases and the best cases of the week are discussed during one of several weekly conferences in order to allow the fellows to be exposed to as many of the best cases as possible. Fellows are responsible for daily follow-up of all patients in whom procedures were performed until the patient is discharged from the hospital. The fellows, under the supervision of the staff, follow those patients on special protocols on the protocol basis.
Fellowship trainees typically work approximately 60 hours per week. Emergency call for evening and weekend cases is shared with the senior residents; fellows typically take call one week per month. Emergency call is supervised by staff radiologists. Fellows are encouraged to participate in research. Typically, several clinical research protocols are underway at all times under the supervision of faculty and the direction of the radiology department research coordinator.