The trainee research curriculum: Time to ENHANCE it?

‘Clinical Excellence’ is one of six strategic priorities of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists (RANZCR). A major goal is to foster a research culture in the two Faculties of Clinical Radiology (CR) and Radiation Oncology (RO).1 Whilst such a culture is arguably very well developed in RO,2 it ‘has not traditionally been a strength’ of CR for a variety of reasons, including earlier and more widespread adoption of corporatisation.3 We should bear in mind that, in ANZ, medical specialist training pathways are offered through ‘colleges’, such as RANZCR, which are in essence professional organizations. Supervisors offer focused and tailored learning of the current state of the profession and provide hands-on clinical exposure. Registrars function within a professional network and can follow a direct path to certification. However, the inherent weakness of this approach is that registrar training is uncoupled from academic resources, with a decreased emphasis on research, limited access to expert faculty, and lack of academic recognition.