ECSO-MRI - Dissemination

Presentation on MRI Safety Symposium 2025 by Gilles De Moor (Anke De Bock):
Towards an MRI safe environment & building expertise in MRI Safety
ECSO-MRI project: updates & next steps

RPS 1714 – Advancements in MR: safety, patient care, and technological innovation (March 1 at 08:00 - 09:00 CET)

• MRI safety education across Europe: perspectives on teaching and assessment
  Description: 
  Author Block: J. Mcnulty1, A. Cradock1, A. Mcgee1, A. De Bock2, J. L. Portelli3, A. England4; 1Dublin/IE, 2Brussels/BE, 3Msida/MT, 4Utrecht/NL
  Purpose: Little has been published on the details of curricular content for radiographers in MRI safety despite the EFRS MRSO role descriptor benchmark document being published in 2021. This survey aimed to capture the current status quo in terms of MRI safety education for radiographers across Europe in terms of content, pedagogical and assessment approaches, challenges, and opportunities.
  Methods or Background: An online survey of educational institutions (EIs) involved in the delivery of MRI safety education to radiographers was designed. The survey was distributed via the EFRS to all member EIs. Additionally, it was shared with all member national societies and to committee and working group members for onward distribution to EIs.
  Results or Findings: Responses were received from 69 EIs. 58 EIs confirmed they deliver MRI safety education to radiographers (23 to undergraduate (UG) medical imaging (MI) students, 23 to UG combined MI and radiotherapy (RT) students, 5 to UG RT students, and 22 to Masters students. The most common MRI safety teaching methods for postgraduates (PGs) were in-person lectures (70.8%), small group discussions (61.9%), review of MRI safety scenarios (61.9%), and clinical placements (61.9%). The MRI safety contact hours for PGs averaged just 6 (range: 0-30 hours). For PGs, at the ‘advanced level’, the most infrequently taught topics were ‘Digital data safety’ (27.8%) and ‘Special MRI systems’ (33.3%). 65.2% of EIs were either ‘very satisfied’ or ‘satisfied’ with their PG MRI safety education provision.
  Conclusion: Significant heterogeneity in content and levels of delivery of MRI safety education for radiographers was evident and highlights the potential for a common MRSO curriculum.
  Limitations: This was a convenience sample of EIs across Europe accessed through the EFRS network and thus may not be representative of the population as a whole.
  Funding for this study: The ECSO-MRI Project is co-funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union (KA220: 2022-1-BE02-KA220-HED-000085873).
  Has your study been approved by an ethics committee? Yes
  Ethics committee - additional information: Due to the nature of this study and the target population, the University College Dublin Human Research Ethics Committee – Sciences granted a formal Ethics Exemption (Reference: LS-LR-24-203-McNulty).

• Educational background in MRI Safety of healthcare professionals working in MRI departments: Insights from the ECSO-MRI Project
  Description:
  Author Block: J. Scheurleer1, A. V. Diepen1, A. De Bock2, H. Bijwaard1; 1Haarlem/NL, 2Brussels/BE
  Purpose: This study aimed to assess the educational needs and preferences regarding MRI safety training among healthcare professionals working in MRI departments. Findings aimed to support the development of a standardised European MRI Safety Officer (MRSO) curriculum as part of the funded ECSO-MRI project.
  Methods or Background: A survey among radiographers, radiologists, and other healthcare professionals across European MRI departments assessed educational backgrounds, MRI safety responsibilities, and training preferences, with 313 responses analysed. The study received local ethics committee approval and confirmed European data security requirements.
  Results or Findings: Of the respondents, 71.6% had clinical experience in MRI, but 49.5% did not regularly update their MRI safety knowledge. Informal peer-to-peer training was the most commonly used learning method (62.9%). Hands-on training was the most preferred approach (89.5%). Additionally, 70% of respondents considered the development of Standard Operating Procedures (SoP) an advanced MRI safety topic. Furthermore, 40% highlighted the need for formal basic training for all radiographers working with MRI, while 63% indicated a need for formal advanced training for key users of MRI. Only 31% reported following local MRI safety guidelines, and 18.5% adhered to international standards, underscoring the need for more consistent safety protocols.
  Conclusion: Significant gaps in MRI safety education, particularly in advanced training, were identified. The ECSO-MRI project aims to address these by developing a standardized curriculum in collaboration with European institutions.
  Limitations: The reliance on self-reported data may introduce bias in assessing actual MRI safety practices and training needs.
  Funding for this study: This study was funded by the European Union’s Erasmus+ program.
  Has your study been approved by an ethics committee? Yes
  Ethics committee - additional information: Ethics Committee of University College Dublin Research Ethics
  Research Ethics Reference Number is: LS-LR-24-220-McNulty

MRI safety seminar: A journey through practical MRI safety by the ECSO-MRI team.

ECSO-MRI project: Evolving MR Safety across Europe by the ECSO-MRI team. INFO