EAPM-EBCOG
TRAINING CERTIFICATION IN MATERNAL-FETAL AND PERINATAL MEDICINE
What are the objectives of training certification?This is a voluntary process and its objectives are to improve, assure and assess the quality of subspecialist training in Maternal-Fetal and Perinatal Medicine in teaching hospitals throughout Europe, according to established criteria. It should lead to benefits such as harmonization of training, improvement of both the structure and process of training, identification of areas of possible further development, as well as the establishment of the institution's strong points. Moreover, it aims to promote uniformity in training and assessment across Europe, as well as to improve services provided by hospitals.
Who can apply for training certification?
Hospitals in Europe housing a fellowship program in Maternal-Fetal and Perinatal Medicine may apply for training certification. Another pre-requisite is pre-existing certification in good standing for basic training in Obstetrics and Gynecology, attributed or recognized by EBCOG (www.ebcog.org/about).
How to apply for training certification
A formal request should be sent by email to certification@europerinatal.eu. The following documents should be included in this request: a written questionnaire completed by the Head of Department, a written questionnaire completed by a senior fellow. There is a €700 fee for conducting a training certification visit, which needs to be settled with the EAPM before the visit is carried out.
What happens after application?
When the full process has been received, a one-day online visit is scheduled using a teleconference platform. The visitors are three senior specialists, familiar with training in Maternal-Fetal and Perinatal Medicine. The visit lasts around 6.5 hours and has the following schedule:
08:00-09:30 - Presentation of departmental organisation, training program, and future plans. Head of Department, Head of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, senior staff, fellows, clinical tutors
09:30-10:00 - Guided tour of facilities (commented video)
10:00-10:30 - Coffee-break
10:30-11:15 - Meeting with the heads of collaborating departments Neonatology, Genetics, Anesthesiology, Pathology, Radiology)
11:15-12:30 - Interview with fellows
12:30-13:15 - Lunch break
13:15-13:45 - Meeting with the Board of Directors of the Hospital or Dean of the Medical School (depending on who is responsible for strategic decisions)
13:45-14:15 - Meeting of the visiting committee to prepare preliminary conclusions and recommendations
14:15-14:30 - Transmission of preliminary conclusions and recommendations The visiting report
A draft version of the visiting report will be sent by email to the Head of the department for correction of any factual errors, within 30 days of the visit. Once this has been completed, the final report will be sent in the following 15 days. The visiting report contains basic data regarding the departmental infrastructure and training program. At the end of the report, recommendations are given. When all necessary training conditions are present, the department will be attributed a full 5-year certification. Depending on the nature of the recommendations, it may be attributed conditional certification for shorter time periods, pending the necessary rectifications, or a revisit may be advised. When full accreditation is attributed, a dated certificate will be sent by email, signed by the EAPM and EBCOG.
TRAINING CERTIFICATION