Rachel is a Consultant Radiologist, specialising in gastrointestinal and pelvic floor imaging and Medical Examiner. In addition to her clinical work, Rachel is dedicated to promoting a supportive and no-blame culture within the healthcare setting. She teaches Human Factors to healthcare professionals, particularly in relation to error. She has recently taken on the lead role of the Royal College of Radiologists' Radiology Events and Learning (REAL) faculty, having led the local REAL process in her base hospital for over 10 years.

Radiology Events and Learning (REAL)
Interactive clinician learning from errors and ambiguous cases.
A library of case studies and interactive resources built by the REAL faculty and peer reviewed case studies.
The role of Radiology Events and Learning and its Meetings is educational, and is laid out in the Standards for Radiology Events and Learning Meetings (REALMS) document.
The REAL library and online resources are hosted on the RCR's e-learning platform, RCR e-Learning Hub. This is accessible to RCR members only.
The archive of REAL newsletters can be found below.
If you are interested in accessing REAL or finding out more about the benefits of RCR membership, please visit our RCR membership page.
RCR membership
REAL Online
A collection of online, interactive themed modules of cases utilising an embedded DICOM reader, hosted on RCR e-Learning Hub.
These are designed to help radiologists practice identifying good spots and review ambiguous cases with greater confidence.
REAL Newsletters
A library of REAL newsletters from 2019 - 2024. These editions include published member letters and showcase real scenarios, addressing a range of intriguing questions and topical points, offering readers greater exposure to difficult and unusual cases.
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Submit a case study
Have you come across a case that made you pause, rethink or learn something important?
We rely on contributions from across the radiology community to create our REAL educational resources – please submit your cases to support shared learning.
REAL brings together anonymised cases that highlight discrepancies, diagnostic challenges, near misses and good spots, helping radiologists learn from real clinical practice in a supportive environment.
If you have encountered a case with clear educational value, we encourage you to submit it for consideration. We welcome cases of error, discrepancy or good spots, including routine cases from local departmental meetings where the learning was particularly useful or a recurring theme or a scenario that is challenging.
Please note that cases are shared without identifying the submitter or their institution, unless you choose to be credited.
All cases must be fully anonymised and shared in line with your organisation’s local policies and governance requirements. Submissions should include clear learning points and sufficient detail to support wider educational use.
How to make a submission
The submission process has two parts, which must be completed in the following order:
Part 1. CIMAR submission
First, you will upload your anonymised DICOM case(s) via CIMAR and complete the associated submission form. The CIMAR submission link is here.
Part 2. Alchemer submission
Second, you will complete a short Alchemer form and upload supporting JPEG images and case information. The Alchemer submission link is here.
What you will need to prepare
For each case you are submitting, please ensure you have the following:
Anonymised DICOM images for upload via CIMAR
Supporting JPEG images to illustrate key findings, including:
Images with annotations (e.g. arrows) highlighting the key learning point
The same images without annotations
Anonymised case information, including:
Patient age and biological sex
Brief clinical history / relevant clinical information
Clinical sub-specialty
Key imaging findings
Suggested learning points
Please ensure all materials are fully anonymised before submission.
What happens next
Thank you for submitting your case(s) and supporting the creation of REAL education resources. All submissions are reviewed by the REAL faculty. Approved cases will be developed further for inclusion in REAL and The RCR Newsletter (Wave) and/or adapted into interactive e-learning resources which will be made available, free to RCR members, via the RCR e-Learning Hub. You will be acknowledged for your contribution via a letter of thanks when the case has been approved by the REAL faculty.
Further information
If you have any questions about submitting a case, or would like support with the process, please contact [email protected]. We are happy to help.
Real Faculty members
The review panel oversees the production and promotion of the REAL newsletter and REAL Online including considering cases which have been submitted for inclusion.
For enquires, contact the REAL Faculty at:
[email protected]
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Find out more about CPD and events
Discover all the events and CPD opportunities offered by the college.
CPD and events
