European Curriculum for Safety Officers in MRI (EN)

Apr '23 / Mar '26

Erasmus+ KA220

Working towards a safer MR environment supported by a European Curriculum for Safety Officers in Magnetic Resonance Imaging (ECSO-MRI)

Co-funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union - KA220 [2022-1-BE02-KA220-HED-000085873]

The aim of this project is to develop a European Curriculum for Safety Officers in Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). Many issues related to this topic emerged in discussions we had with our alumni. So, the idea grew to develop a MR Safety program and we reached out to our European partners.

Because our target group is very divers we want to stimulate and increase sharing knowledge in MR Safety. We want to deploy the necessary educations technology to support a transnational common curriculum. From an educational perspective we need to find a balance between the learning preferences from our target group and the curriculum design. And this all is needed so we can work together moving towards a safer MR Environment.

The research group will design a curriculum who is compliant to the MRSO descriptor role so we can maintain quality across out teaching institutions. We will create e similar vision about teaching, learning and assessment in a transnational blended learning environment.

The curriculum will be developed in a modular structure which includes a basic MR safety module (± 10 ECTS) and modules for magnetic resonance safety officer (MRSO) education and training (± 20 ECTS). Each course module will have a module descriptor which states the module aim(s), teaching and learning methods, description of study materials, competencies that will be achieved on successful completion of each module. The produced/ developed course materials may include lecture notes, video recordings, scientific articles, PowerPoint presentation, learning exercises and assignments. The delivered curriculum will be integrated in an e-learning platform by the aid of educational technology. This e-learning platform will have a consistent structure throughout all course modules, a noticeable learning pathway for the target group and will facilitate independent student learning and self-testing (asynchronous) to monitor study progress.

Background

MR safety is one part of the duties of a person working in an MR department. Looking briefly at the different aspects of an MR radiographer (or equivalent), we can divide this into four pillars:

A psycho-social pillar focusing on patient-centred care with an eye on perception of care, task-oriented interaction and control of the environment.
An examination executing pillar that focuses on the obeying of examination procedures.
A pillar of MR safety regarding the patient, staff and own safety is an essential task of an MR radiographer.
The biomedical-physical pillar underpins all the knowledge and skills essential to perform examinations, provide patient education, quality assurance, safety and risk management.

In addition, the availability of MR devices has increased significantly across Europe in recent years (Healthcare resource statistics, 2020) and thus means that more MR units or more/larger MR departments are emerging with their own challenges around MR safety.

Within medical imaging, patient safety is held in high regard. If we translate patient safety into MR safety, according to the ESR and EFRS, we mean the following: behaviour of ferromagnetic objects, static and gradient magnetic fields, radiofrequency-related risks and acoustic noise.

Several actors are involved, for example, each country has some sort of safety regulations which are mainly based on MHRA and ACR recommendations. Recommendations are often given by the ISMRM, ESR and EFRS who are defining different roles and responsibilities in managing MR safety.

We need to ask ourselves is there a need for specific education? How do we know we are working in a safe environment, this is often indicated by reporting incidents. A recent study by Kihlberg et al. (2022) showed an underreporting of MR incidents. Some of those incidents could possibly have a catastrophic outcome. One of the potential causes is that there is more need for easily and accessible education and more collaboration between professional groups. To accommodate those needs we can work towards an educational program for radiographers or equivalent professions. There is a lot available about MR safety in MR educational programs. Each program has aspects of MR safety, but is there cohesion? There are also different levels of MR knowledge. Not everybody has the same level of understanding: you have persons who are involved in the patient’s care pathway (in the broad sense), radiographers working in MRI and MR safety officers. (EFRS, 2021). So there is a need for an MRSO in each department.

Who is the MR Safety Officer?

A Magnetic Resonance Safety Officer (MRSO) is a person who is closely involved with MR scanning, usually a radiographer (in Europe, Australia, New Zealand and parts of Asia) or an MRI technologist (mainly USA and Canada but also in parts of Asia), who typically holds a postgraduate qualification in MRI/MRI Safety.

The MR safety officer is trained in knowledge, skills and competences related to patient care and safety, safe use of equipment (hardware and software) and is able to communicate with patients, volunteers, medical imaging and ancillary non MRI trained staff.

More information: EFRS. Magnetic Resonance Safety Officer (MRSO) Role Descriptor: An European Qualifications Framework (EQF) benchmarking document.

How can we achieve this?

We are bringing experts and educators together from all over Europe so we can share good practices, so we can learn from each other’s experiences in teaching safety-related topics and dissemination of knowledge. (Calamante et al., 2016) to develop a curriculum in a European context.

The pandemic has taught us how we can actively engage in online and offline learning. So we can bring radiographers together wanting to learn about MR Safety. The curriculum should be well balanced between contact and digital learning. Contact learning is still valuable so there is bonding with the institution it activates social interaction which is a necessity to activate deep learning. Digital learning has the added value to look into topics from another perspective (for example from other experts across Europe) and you can learn on your own pace. Finding a balance between those, it is possible, form an educator’s perspective to support the learning pathway in a better way by using learning analytics. (ACCO, 2021).

ECSO-MRI kickoff meeting April 2023 InHolland

InHolland University of Applied Sciences, April 2023

University of Malta, September 2023

University College Dublin, February 2024

Turku University of Applied Sciences, September 2024

Final meeting at Hochschule Campus Wien university of applied sciences, March 2026

Module descriptors

Basic Course

The aim of the basic MRI safety course (10 ECTS) is to provide a foundation in MRI safety, leading to an awareness of the risks that are present for staff and patients within the MRI department. Topics covered will all be focussed on MRI safety and will range from the basics of magnetism through to the bioeffects of the different electromagnetic fields used in MRI. The basic course will also address contrast agents used in MRI, screening of patients and staff, and the basic concepts of suite design.

Advanced Course

The advanced course (20 ECTS) will be focussed on developing the basic concepts of MRI safety addressed in the basic course to a more advanced level. All aspects regarding the radiofrequency electromagnetic field, static magnetic field and gradient magnetic field will be explored in more detail, with in-depth correlation to clinical practice. Emphasis will be placed on risk assessment of passive and active implants. The advanced course will provide MRI personnel with the knowledge and skills required to be confident decision makers, dealing with issues that arise in the day to day running of the MRI unit to the level of an MRI safety officer. It will enable them to be key members and decision makers on the MRI safety committee within their organisation.

About the program

In these modules the expected time investment will be 25hours / ECTS where different kind of assessments might be used such as an MCQ, peer review, … where in the advanced module more on the floor application of the assessment can be expected.
The learning materials will be presented in different languages (English, Dutch and Finnish) where English will be the main language.
You will be guided through this program by a local lecturer whereby the barrier is reduced especially because of the language.
A weekly online interaction of about 2 hours will be organised to discuss different topics and content.
The Basic Module in MRI Safety will continue between week 40 and week 50 where a start-up meeting will be organised in week 40 (half a day) on-campus/hybrid and the final evaluation (1 day) on-campus in week 50.

Like to apply?

Are you interested in upgrading your knowledge about MRI safety which will provide you with a greater awareness of the risks and with the knowledge and skills to the level of an MRI safety officer working in the MRI environment? And do you have a relevant qualification and experience working in the MRI environment?

Please contact our partner university of your country and subscribe for (one or both of) the modules.

Odisee University of Applied Sciences

InHolland University of Applied Sciences

University of Malta - Magnetic Resonance Safety

University of Malta - Advanced Training for Magnetic Resonance Safety Officers

Turku University of Applied Sciences: contact Jarno Huhtanen

Tampere University of Applied Sciences: contact Pirita Syrjänen

University College Dublin

In regard of the wholeness of the program, your input will be considered as useful. Hereby you can find the link to the different surveys in which your input is asked.

-- SURVEYS ARE CLOSED --

Survey of Higher Educational Institutions in Europe providing Magnetic Resonanc…

Survey for learning and teaching preferences of student and professional radiog…

ODISEE: Privacy en cookies verklaring EMS

Module descriptor: Basic Module in MRI Safety

Module descriptor: Advanced Module in MRI Safety

ECR 2026

We are pleased to announce that an official progress update on the ECSO‑MRI project will be presented at ECR 2026. During this session, the project team will share key results, insights from pilot implementations and feedback, and the next steps toward developing a harmonised European framework for MRI Safety Officer education and training.

Join us at ECR to learn how ECSO‑MRI is shaping the future of MRI safety practice across Europe.

More details about session timing and speakers will follow soon.

Recognising the role of radiographers in MR safety and the contributions of the European Federation of Radiographer Societies
Anke De Bock, Jonathan McNulty, Andrew England and ECSO-MRI Consortium

Letter to the editor

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

Wetenschapsfestival Brussel (2024)

ECR 2025

EFRS 11 - An update on MR safety education in Europe (March 1 at 10:00 - 11:00 CET)
Description: This session provided a comprehensive overview of recent advancements in MR safety education across Europe, with a special focus on the ECSO-MRI project. This project represents a significant step in establishing robust safety protocols and educational standards for MRI, ensuring that radiographers and other professionals are equipped to handle the complexities of modern MRI technology. The session will highlight collaborative efforts within the ECSO-MRI initiative, which aims to harmonize and elevate MR safety training across European institutions. Attendees will gain valuable insights into the latest educational strategies and safety protocols designed to protect both patients and healthcare staff in MRI settings.

To outline the current landscape of MR safety education across Europe.
To discuss the role of the ECSO-MRI project.

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

8th of October 2025: Precongress workshop

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

ECSO-MRI pre-congress_workshop_marseille-2025

22nd of October 2025: EFRS Webinar

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

Partners

InHolland University of Applied Sciences: Harmen Bijwaard, Anja van Diepen, Jelle Scheurleer
University College Dublin: Allison McGee, Andrea Cradock, Jonathan McNulty
Turku University of Applied Sciences: Jarno Huhtanen, Säde Huhtanen
Tampere University of Applied Sciences: Anna-Riikka Keihäs, Pirita Markkula
University of Malta: Francis Zarb, Jonathan Portelli, Susan Mercieca
European federation of radiographer societies: Andrew England, Vitor Silva

Want to know more about this project?

Contact

Co-funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union - KA220 [2022-1-BE02-KA220-HED-000085873]