The Fellowship of the Royal College of Radiologists (FRCR) examination: a review of the evidence

The Fellowship of the Royal College of Radiologists (FRCR) examination is the professional qualification that is essential for career progression in clinical radiology within the UK. It is also important for career progression in many countries internationally. The FRCR has evolved and changed over the last decade. In this systematic review we appraise and summarise the available data relating to the FRCR emphasising the published evidence regarding the validity, reliability, and acceptability of this examination. Comparison is made to other equivalent medical examinations, as well as a more recently published commissioned external review of the FRCR examinations. The Clinical Radiology Part 2B (CR2B) examination in its pre-existing format is reliable, valid, and acceptable. Recommendations from the commissioned external review are based primarily on expert opinion, with a limited evidence base comprising data from a small sample acquired during a single examination sitting and without peer review. Unlike the CR2B examination, there is little evidence regarding assessment of the CR1 and CR2 examinations. Both the CR1 and CR2 examinations are currently in the process of undergoing major changes to their formats. Blueprinting items to the curriculum might improve acceptability. Other changes may improve transparency and reliability of these assessments. Our analysis and many aspects of the external review may provide pointers regarding how the upcoming data produced by the “automated” FRCR examinations can be further analysed to provide a more robust evaluation. •The CR2B examination in its pre-existing format is reliable, valid and acceptable.•Recommendations from a RCR-commissioned external review are based primarily on expert opinion, with limited evidence base.•Unlike the CR2B, there is little evidence regarding assessment of the CR1 and CR2.•Blueprinting items to the curriculum might improve acceptability.•Future data produced by the “automated” FRCR examinations can be further analysed to provide a more robust evaluation.