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Ophthalmology
TRAINING REQUIREMENTS for the SPECIALTY OPHTHALMOLOGY
Chapter 6, CHARTER on TRAINING of MEDICAL SPECIALISTS in the EU
UEMS Specialist Section Ophthalmology, policy statement adopted in the September 1995 meeting
French Translation / Traduction Française
Article 1
CENTRAL MONITORING AUTHORITY at EU LEVEL:
1.1. The Section of Ophthalmology of the UEMS and its working group the European Board of Ophthalmology (UEMS/EBO) will be the central monitoring authority of the Specialty, to set standards for the national organization of accreditation.
1.2. Mechanisms for the approval of institutions and teachers in ophthalmology shall be established.
1.3. Programmes for the assessment or quality assurance in ophthalmology shall be laid down.
1.4. A system for the recognition of quality shall be established.
1.5. Methods of assessing manpower planning in ophthalmology shall be established.
Article 2
GENERAL ASPECTS of TRAINING in OPHTHALMOLOGY
2.1. Selection for and access to the specialty:
The selection procedures of trainees may differ in the different countries of the EU/EFTA but must comply with certain common principles. Such procedures should be:
- Open to citizens of an EU/EFTA member state who have completed basic medical training in an EU/EFTA member state.
- Open to all, even though they may be based on criteria such as:
* National or regional competitive examinations,
* The agreement of teacher and/or training institution after interview and review of the curriculum vitae of the candidate,
* Position on a waiting list (GR).
2.2. Duration of training:
The duration of training in ophthalmology is at present a minimum of 4 years in all countries but 5½ years in Denmark and 4-6 in the United Kingdom. The goal is to have one same duration of training of 5 years in all EU.
2.3. Definition of the common trunk in training:
The content of training is complex and different in most countries. A common trunk in training shall be defined by the UEMS/EBO.
2.4. Training programmes and training log-book:
Training will follow an established programme approved by National Authorities in accordance with national rules and EU legislation. The UEMS/EBO will provide recommendations on the aims and objectives of education and training in ophthalmology. The training activities of the trainee will be recorded in an agreed training log-book presently conceived.
2.5. Quality control and assessment of training:
National authorities and/or the National Board of each members state, together with the teachers and training institutions should implement a policy of quality assurance of training. This is done by inspection of training institutions, assessment of the training, monitoring of the training or by other means. The UEMS/EBO is promoting residency review with onsite inspection of the training centres by international teams.
2.6. Appropriate numbers of ophthalmologists in training:
After determination of the needs of each member state the introduction of a numerus clausus should extend to all EU/EFTA member states. The demography of the EU/EFTA shall be monitored by the UEMS/EBO.
2.7. Training abroad:
Exchange of trainees between recognized EU/EFTA training institutions is encouraged and sponsored for a one month period by the EBO. The UEMS/EBO is encouraging this to ensure a better harmonization and quality of training. A period of time of training abroad may be recognized.
2.8. Regulations for the EBO Diploma:
All applicants must have graduated from a Medical Faculty of a University within the EU/EFTA and must have satisfactorily completed an entire formal graduated residency training programme in ophthalmology of at least 4 years duration. They must be recognized in ophthalmology within one country of the EU/EFTA and should have passed their own national qualification or the national qualification in the country of their training.
Article 3
REQUIREMENTS for the TRAINING INSTITUTIONS
3.1. Recognition of training institutions:
Training institutions for ophthalmology shall be recognized by the National Authority or the National Board of the Member state. The UEMS/EBO hasl defined recommendations for recognition as UEMS/EBO certified training institutions.
3.2. Requirements:
To be recognized for training the institution (or group of institutions) should be ofsufficient size, with an appropriate number of patients seen and an appropriate number of procedures undertaken to permit the trainees to receive the necessary experience. It is essential that training schemes have a sufficient number of qualified ophthalmologists to provide the required training and supervision. The UEMS/EBO monitors training schemes and, if necessary, advises how to introduce or improve them.
There should be available to the trainees enough facilities for both practical and theoretical study. Access to adequate national and international literature, including textbooks, reviews and data bases should be provided. The training scheme must comprise a balanced proportion of practical, patient-oriented training as well as formalized didactic teaching, tutorials, case reports and journal sessions.
3.3. Assessment of standards in the institution:
The training institution should have an internal system of medical audit and morbidity meetings and critical incident reporting. A range of hospital surveys, such as infection control and pharmacological and therapeutic committees should be in place. Inspection of training institutions by the National Authority may be undertaken if a national training scheme exists. The UEMS/EBO education committee will give help if asked and will also make an assessment of the training institution before the institution is accepted in the UEMS/EBO developing training exchange program.
Article 4
REQUIREMENTS for TEACHERS in OPHTHALMOLOGY
4.1. Chief and training staff:
The chief of training should have been practicing ophthalmology for at least 5 years after qualification as a specialist. There should be an appropriate number of ophthalmological teaching staff members for the number of trainees. Teacher and staff should be practicing ophthalmology in its full extent. Subspecialized teachers may be recognized for training stages by the National Authority.
4.2. Training programmes:
Teachers should prepare training programmes to meet the needs of individual trainees. These programmes should be based on the possibilities of the teaching institution ans should comply with national rules, EU directives and recommendations of the UEMS/EBO.
4.3. Supervision:
There should be a sufficient number of teachers to ensure that all trainees receive sufficient teaching and training and to ensure a close personal monitoring during their training.
Article 5
REQUIREMENTS for TRAINING
5.1. Experience:
To build up sufficient experience the trainee should be involved in the management of an appropriate number of in-patients, day care patients and out-patients. Trainees should perform a sufficient number of practical procedures of sufficient diversity to enhance their skills.
5.2. Language:
The trainee should have sufficient linguistic ability to communicate with patients and with his/her teachers. The trainee must be able to study foreign textbooks, if necessary, and to read international specialized literature.
5.3. Log-book:
The trainee should keep an up-to-date personal logbook according to national rules, EU directives and complying with UEMS/EBO recommendations.
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