EAPM-EBCOG
TRAINING CERTIFICATION IN MATERNAL-FETAL AND PERINATAL MEDICINE
What are the objectives of training certification?
The objectives of training certification 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 be emphasized that EAPM-EBCOG training certification is a voluntary process.What are the benefits of training certification?
Training certification should lead to benefits such as harmonization of training, improvement of both 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 may result in the introduction of uniformity intraining and assessment across Europe, as well as the improvement of services provided by hospitals. It provides opportunities for others to learn from good practices.Who can apply for training certification?
Hospitals in Europe housing a fellowship programme in Maternal-Fetal and Perinatal Medicine may apply for EAPM-EBCOG training certification. Another pre-requisite for application is pre-existing certification for basic training in Obstetrics and Gynecology by EBCOG (www.ebcog.org/about) in good standing.How to apply for training certification
A formal request for training certification should be made by email to the Chair of the EAPM/EBCOG visiting programme in Maternal-Fetal and Perinatal Medicine (see contact details below). The following documents should be sent together with this request:a written questionnaire completed by the Head of Department, a written questionnaire completed by a senior fellow.What is the process for training certification?
For first-time training certification of Departments, a one day on-site visit is required. After a full four-yeartraining certification is attributed, Departments may apply for an additional three-year certificationby resubmission of written questionnaires, without the need for an on-site visit. Further extensions require a restart of the training certification process.How are on-sitetraining certification visits financed?
Economy class travel and accommodation up to a maximum of two nights, including meals, for the three visitors need to be reserved by the Department requesting the visit. Each visitorscanalsobe refunded up to 100 Euros to cover incidentals (taxies, train fares, car parking at airport etc.).How are training certification visits conducted?
The on-site training certification visit lasts one day, and has the following schedule:
09:00-10:30 Presentation of departmental structures, facilities, training program, future plans etc
Head of Department, Head of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, senior staff, fellows, clinical tutors
10:30-10:45 Coffee-break
10:45-11:30 Guided tour of facilities
11:30-12:45 Interview with fellows
12:45-13:15 Lunch with senior staff
13:15-13:45 Meeting with collaborating departments (pathology, anesthesiology, genetics, neonatology, fetal radiology, etc)
13:45-14:15 Meeting with Board of Directors of the Hospital or Dean of the Medical School (depending on who is responsible for remuneration, strategic decisions, etc.).
14:15-14:45 Meeting of the visiting committee to prepare preliminary conclusions and recommendations
14:45-15:00 Transmission of preliminary conclusions and recommendations to the Department
Who are the visitors?
The visitors are threesenior Obstetricians/Gynaecologists familiar with the visiting process, two of them appointed by the Chair of the EAPM/EBCOG visiting programme in Maternal-Fetal and Perinatal Medicine, and one appointed by the Chair of the EBCOG Standing Committee for Training Recognition.What does the visiting report contain?
The visiting report contains basic data regarding the Departmental infrastructure and training programme; the viewsobtained from the Head and senior staff, fellows, Hospital Director or Dean of the Medical School; training facilities; and the working relationship with other Departments. At the end of the report, conclusions and recommendations are given.What happens to the visiting report once it is concluded?
A draft version of the report is sent to the Head of Department for correction of any factual errors. A final report is presented to the EAPM Executive Board and to the EBCOG Standing Committee for Training Recognition, as a confidential document for final judgement.Depending on the nature of the recommendations, EAPM/EBCOG training certification in Maternal-Fetal and Perinatal Medicine will be granted for a period of four years or a revisit of the Department will be advised after one or two years. When full accreditation is attributed, a certificate will be sent by email, signed by the EAPM and EBCOG. When the full four-year period of accreditation has expired, Departments may apply for an additional on-paper evaluation (only the questionnaires need to be submitted by email), with the view of accreditation for a further three years. Alternatively, they can apply for another on-site visit.
Prof. Diogo Ayres-de-Campos, MD, PhD
President-Elect European Association of Perinatal Medicine
E-mail address:dayresdecampos@gmail.com
Prof. JuriyWladimiroff, MD, PhD
Chair of the Standing Committee for Training Recognition – European Board and College of Obstetrics and Gynecology
E-mail address:j.wladimiroff@btinternet.com
Prof. Petr Vellebil, MD, PhD.
Chair of the EAPM/EBCOG visiting programme in Maternal-Fetal and Perinatal Medicine
E-mail address:VelebilP@seznam.cz