A How-to Guide for Community Breast Imaging Centers: Starting a Breast Imaging Fellowship

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Radiology
• Breast Imaging

Background:

• Community settings offer opportunities for high-quality breast imaging fellowship training.
• Challenges include funding, curriculum development in nonacademic environments, and program competitiveness.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore factors for establishing academic breast imaging fellowship programs in community settings.
• To provide guidance on securing funding, developing curricula, and navigating recruitment.

Main Methods:

• Review of experiences in establishing a community-based breast imaging fellowship.
• Guidance development based on Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education, American College of Radiology, and Society of Breast Imaging guidelines.

Main Results:

• Strategies for obtaining fellowship funding are presented.
• A framework for developing a comprehensive training curriculum is outlined.
• Guidance on recruitment, program branding, and applicant matching is provided.

Conclusions:

• Successful establishment of community-based breast imaging fellowships is achievable with strategic planning.
• This model can enhance radiology training opportunities and address workforce needs.