DIPLOMA IN MUSCULOSKELETAL RADIOLOGY
The European Diploma in Musculoskeletal Radiology is a recognised European qualification for MSK radiologists and will help to standardise training and expertise across Europe. In addition, it will assist its holders in the promotion of their skills and experience when dealing with other clinical colleagues and with the general public/patients.
The Diploma is endorsed by the European Society of Radiology (ESR).
The European Diploma in Musculoskeletal Radiology certifies that the holder has a level of knowledge of musculoskeletal radiology in line with the requirements of the European Training Curriculum for Radiology level III (www.myesr.org/trainingcurriculum) by successfully passing a high-quality test of knowledge consisting of 40 MCQs covering all Level III topics in musculoskeletal radiology and the ESSR subcommittees area of expertise and an oral test with cases falling within Level III curriculum that practicing MSK radiologists are expected to come across.
ESSR is not an official certifying body. The European Diploma in Musculoskeletal Radiology confirms proof of knowledge of musculoskeletal radiology in addition to any national qualifications certifying competency.
Examination 2025
The first EDiMSK exam 2025 is planned during the ECR 2024, Vienna, Austria.
The application is open.
The second EDiMSK exam 2025 is planned during the ESSR 2025
The application is open.
Candidates
The training of candidates has to be in line with previously established basic principles of radiology training as laid out in the ESR European Training Curriculum for Radiology.
If you are an experienced MSK Radiologist, remember that the entire MSK field, as mentioned in the ESR level 3 curriculum is tested. Please prepare for the exam. And do not think you will be able to pass the exam without preparations.
- Subspecialisation should take place after the designated time for radiology residency. In exceptional cases, partial Subspecialisation may already start within the years of differentiation (E.g. UK / NL). Radiology Residency should preferably last no less than five years. For candidates with less than five years of training only: Proof of experience as a supervised staff radiologist is required.
- At least two years of subspecialty training are required. Maximum one year of subspecialty training can be done before board certification.
The examination is only open to fully-trained, licensed, and practicing radiologists.
Knowledge Base
The level of knowledge requested from candidates has to correspond to the curricular contents for full subspecialisation in the field of radiology provided by the ESR European Training Curriculum for Subspecialisation in Radiology (Level III). https://www.myesr.org/education/training-curricula/
Eligibility criteria / Necessary application documents
Collection of necessary application documents may start from year 4 of general radiology education
- Certificate of completed training (Members in training are not entitled to take part in the examination)
- RIS documentation or logbook with a total record of the candidate’s experience in musculoskeletal radiology countersigned by the candidate’s programme director.
- A letter of support from the programme director or department head.
- At least 50 CME credits in MSK events recognized by the ESSR*
- CV
- Proof of ESR** and ESSR membership in the year(s) of the application and the examination
- Attendance of 2 annual meetings of the ESSR and/or ECR within a 5-year period
- Being first author of an Accepted Abstract for a national/international MSK event recognized by the ESSR
*MSK events recognized by the ESSR include ESSR Meetings and Events, European Congress of Radiology (ECR), European School of Radiology (ESOR) Courses, and Meetings of National and International Radiological and/or Musculoskeletal Societies (eg. International Skeletal Society Meetings).
** Please note that only full and corresponding radiologist members are entitled to an ESR endorsed diploma
Further recommendations:
– Participation in ESSR webinars
– Participation in ESSR subcommittee events and courses
– Participation in the ESOR MSK Fellowship in a recognized training center
Once met these requirements, the candidate can apply for the diploma and will undergo a final examination at the Annual ESSR Congresses.
Please note: an active registration for the respective congress is required to attend the examination.
Only a limited number of candidates can be accepted for the examination at each meeting. Applications will be accepted on a first come, first served basis – date of receipt of application form! Early application is therefore recommended.
Examination Structure
The examination usually takes place at the ESSR Annual Meeting. The examination will be performed with up-to-date technical and educational tools.The candidate is responsible for ensuring a stable internet connection and must raise any technical or other issues during the exam, as measures need to be discussed individually.
The examination consists of written and oral components, both contributing 50% of the total score for the exam. Both parts of the examination (oral and written) have to be passed.
After the examination, an examiners meeting will be held. At this meeting, the results of both components of the exam will be added together to produce a total score for the examination for each candidate.
Written Exam
- 40 multiple choice questions (1 correct /4 answers)
- The exam lasts 60 minutes
- Candidates will be tested in all aspects relevant to MSK radiology
Oral Exam
- Examiners will test the candidate discussing cases at the workstation in a maximum of 20 min long session.
- The exam will be held in English.
Each candidate will be examined by ESSR representatives. ESSR examiners are appointed by the Executive Committee of the ESSR.
Eligibility criteria of ESSR examiners:
- each ESSR examiner has to be an ESSR member AND
- has made an active contribution to the field of MSK radiology as judged by CV (publications, teaching, committees etc.)
Important for accepted candidates: No appeal may be made in relation to the content of the examination.
Fee Structure
In case a candidate did not pass the European Diploma in Musculoskeletal Radiology he/she has the possibility to retake the examination one year later.
You can retake the exam 3 times for free.
A reduced fee of €200.00 will then be granted to members in good standing.
Renewal
Renewal of the Diploma might be requested by the candidate by providing proof of completion of the following items during the 5 years of Diploma validity:
- provision of at least 20 CME credits per year in MSK events recognised by the ESSR
- active ESR and ESSR society memberships
- filled-out renewal application form
No written/oral exam will be required for renewal. A renewal fee of EUR 30,- will be charged.
Terminology
The title is active and allowed to be used until the respective expiration date of the diploma.
Sample Examination
Do you want to apply for the ESSR Diploma? Test your skill in advance!
Written Exam
Under this LINK you can do a self-test of 5 sample MCQs. At the end of your self-test, when you have answered all the questions, you will see how many answers were correct and how many points you have. As a rule, candidates must answer at least 70% (28/40 questions) correctly to pass the written part of the exam.
Oral Exam
During the oral part of the exam, candidates are required to discuss relevant imaging findings and make the diagnosis. Here you can find a few images of the case that was under discussion in the last session of the ESSR Diploma. The case refers to a 45 year-old woman with recent onset of right anterolateral hip pain. Which is the diagnosis?
Click here to see the images and diagnosis as PDF
Click here to see the images and diagnosis as PPTX