AN ANALYSIS OF TRAINING CURRICULUMS THROUGHOUT EUROPE: REPORT OF EUROPEAN TRAINEE SURVEY OF THE EURORIT (EUROPEAN RHEUMATOLOGISTS IN TRAINING) 2004

H. Amital, P.M. Aries , S.E. Lane On behalf of EURORITS, working party on Education; Rheumatology Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, Hadassah-Hebrew University School of Medicine, Jerusalem, Israel, Poliklinik für Rheumatologie and Rheumaklinik Bad Bramstedt, Universitätsklinik Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Luebeck, Bad Bramstedt, Germany, Rheumatology Unit, Ipswich Hospital, Ipswich, United KingdomObjectives: To investigate current rheumatology training across EULAR countries, and facilitate discussion of potential roles for EULAR/EURORITS and a universal syllabus.Methods: A questionnaire about rheumatology training was designed and distributed to all members of the EURORITS (22 countries) and the EULAR committee for education and training (27 countries). Details obtained were: demographic data; prerequisites for training; assessment methods; research, clinical and academic responsibilities, specialist training, attendance at scientific meetings and funding.Results: 27 questionnaires (14 trainees, 13 seniors) were completed from 22 countries (Belarus, Belgium, Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Israel, Moldova, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Serbia and Montenegro, Slovak Republic, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, United Kingdom). Email addresses were unobtainable in 5 cases, 8 EULAR countries were not represented on either committee. Most countries (12) have 1-2.5 trainees/million population (mp), 5 have 2.5-5/mp, 3 have 5-7.5/mp and Russia has 0.1/mp. 10 have approximately 1 trainee/rheumatology centre, 5 have 2-3/centre, 3 have 4-5/centre. Russia trains 0.4/centre, Czech Republic 6-10/centre and Slovak Republic 11-20/centre. The mean length of rheumatology training is 2.73 years (4 months to 5 years); it differs between former communist countries in comparison to Western countries, 2.5 years vs. 3.2 respectively. In all but 3 countries (Estonia, Russia and France) a period of internal medicine is obligatory; mean 2.9 years median 2.5 years (range 1 to 6). In 20 countries the training period includes specialty training: orthopedics (11), pediatric rheumatology (7), radiology (9), clinical immunology (10), musculoskeletal ultrasound (8), pain management (7), and rehabilitation (14). Eleven countries have a defined syllabus for the training period. Clinical duties were similar across countries (Mean 39 hours/week) with mean number of on-call 3 times per month.Twelve countries have formal examinations at the end of training 17 have continuous assessment and 11 a final assessment panel. Research is compulsory in Serbia and Montenegro and the Netherlands, optional in 4 others but in many others it is an integral part of the internal medicine.All countries have National scientific conferences (median 2 (1-10) times/year) and 18 have regional meetings at which trainees participate. 10 national societies sponsor trainees to present internationally; local institutions and pharmaceutical companies are the source of funds in 15 and 17 countries respectively. The local economic situation was cited as the reason for lower conference participation by former communist countries.Conclusion: Clinical rheumatology training is similar throughout EULAR, but its delivery varies according to the number of rheumatology units, resources and local service needs. More emphasis on research as an integral part of training should be taken. Promoting communication and educational exchange between trainees could improve understanding of these differences, and make unifying training programs across Europe a feasible target.Citation: , volume , supplement , year 2004, page Session: Advances in health services and outcome research