Mastering the EBIR examination

December 22, 2023

The latest sitting of the European Board of Interventional Radiology (EBIR) examination has seen yet another record number of participants. 1,303 IRs have now successfully certified their expertise, demonstrating their knowledge and skills in IR and their commitment to patient safety.  
Their success in the examination hinged on their ability to prepare effectively and efficiently. To facilitate this process, CIRSE offers not only Q&A sessions but also a range of study tools, which are outlined below. Additionally, we spoke to accomplished candidates who shared their tips and tricks for excelling in the exam with us.

A comprehensive educational pathway

The examination questions are based on the European Curriculum and Syllabus for Interventional Radiology, which is available in English, German, and Spanish. This standardized IR training guideline covers the clinical and technical skills needed to perform safe and effective treatments. It reflects the most up-to-date techniques and technologies, and is a fundamental tool for establishing high-quality training standards for all practising IRs.

The syllabus includes a traffic light system that represents how often a topic is tested in the examination, reflecting the overall frequency with which a treatment is carried out in Europe. This is to ensure that relevant topics are examined often while those that do not occur in everyday practice are examined less frequently.

“I think all of the questions are very clearly mapped to different areas of the curriculum, so focusing and basing your revision around the CIRSE syllabus is very important.” Says Dr. Matthew Seager, EBIR, of King’s College Hospital, GB.

The document is not only the basis for the EBIR exam but also for the CIRSE Academy and the EBIR Preparation section in the CIRSE Library, making it a truly comprehensive educational pathway.

Self-paced exam preparation

Candidates often have to juggle exam preparation with work responsibilities. CIRSE’s online education tools were specifically designed with that in mind. The CIRSE Academy and CIRSE Library both offer concise and easily digestible content tailored for individuals with limited windows of free time throughout the day. The material is available around the clock and accessible from any place in the world.

“What I liked most about the CIRSE Academy courses was how easy it was to integrate them into my day-to-day life. Studying for an exam can often feel daunting and even overwhelming at times, but the well-structured preparation material offered by CIRSE really helped to stay organized and boost my confidence in my knowledge and skills.” says Dr. Lucía Fernández, EBIR, of La Paz University Hospital, Spain.

The CIRSE Academy

Post-exam surveys show that the majority of EBIR candidates find the CIRSE Academy helpful when preparing for the exam. This unique e-learning platform is continuously growing and is directly connected to the topics of the syllabus. It provides a comprehensive range of online courses curated by leading IR experts in the field. All courses include a theoretical part, example cases, and educational videos. They also feature interactive multiple-choice quizzes which are developed in cooperation with members of the EBIR writing team to reflect the single-best-answer question style featured in the examination. In order to ensure the quality of the materials, courses are regularly updated and re-accredited.

After three years of authoring, compiling, peer-reviewing and revising course material, a team of over one hundred authors and reviewers has achieved the goal of nearly every item of the European Curriculum and Syllabus for IR being covered by at least one course. All courses can be accessed through the All-Access Pass at a reduced fee for EBIR candidates.

The CIRSE Library

The EBIR preparation area in the CIRSE Library  allows candidates to view a compendium of topic packages, webinars, online courses and a selection of recommended lectures that have been specifically chosen by members of the EBIR Council. All the contents are also arranged according to the structure of the topics in the European Curriculum and Syllabus for Interventional Radiology in order to expand the candidate’s knowledge of the latest IR procedures that are tested during the examination but may not be performed in a participant’s facility.

“I recommend the CIRSE Library talks. They allow you to receive a class from world-leading figures in IR at any time and any place.” –  Dr. Jimena González Nieto, EBIR, La Paz University Hospital, Spain.

“I meticulously prepared for the EBIR exam by engaging with lectures, including resources like the CIRSE Library, CIRSE Standards of Practice documents, and CIRSE Academy courses.” – Dr. Yu-Dong Xiao, EBIR, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, China.

Dr. Xiao, who is the first EBIR holder from China, shared more about his experience taking the exam on the CVIR Endovascular blog, which you can read here.

All online resources mentioned and more, including sample questions in English, German and Spanish, can be accessed here.

Educational events at CIRSE congresses

CIRSE also regularly organizes information and Q&A sessions where (potential) candidates have the opportunity to speak with candidates who have successfully sat the exam and ask their questions about how to prepare, the fully digital format of the examination, etc. On the occasion of ET 2023, Dr. Lucia Fernández offered her insights about the exam in both English and Spanish. Another Q&A session took place at CIRSE 2023, where Dr. Jeroen Jongkind shared his tips and tricks on exam preparation.

“I found speaking to doctors who had already successfully sat the EBIR before taking the exam myself incredibly helpful. The Q&A sessions offered by CIRSE are a valuable opportunity to ask questions and get a better idea of what to expect. I would recommend them to anyone who is planning to take the exam or considering it.” – Jeroen Jongkind, EBIR, Maastricht University Medical Centre+ (MUMC+), The Netherlands

Upcoming examinations:

March 21, 2024 | English | German – application deadline February 1, 2024

October 24, 2024 | English | Spanish – application deadline September 5, 2024

March 20, 2025 | English | German – application deadline January 31, 2025

Meet the EBIR Team at:

ECIO April 28 – May 1, Palma, ES

ET June 1-4, Vienna, AT

CIRSE September 14-18, Lisbon, PT

Watch this space for any upcoming information sessions!