Gersten Jonker

Variations in anesthesiology training   133 6 Postgraduate medical training leads to certification as a medical specialist. Certification is a self-regulatory process under the jurisdiction of medical specialties and includes credentialing of training experience with some form of assessment [1]. Certification is meant to provide assurance that professionals are qualified to safely practice the specialty. In 2012, UEMS European Board of Anaesthesiology (UEMS/EBA) issued the latest revision of their guidelines on Training Requirements for the Specialty of Anaesthesiology, Pain and Intensive Care Medicine [2-4]. These guidelines advocate comparability and harmonization of postgraduate training programs to facilitate transfer of anesthesiologists across Europe safeguarding a minimum training level. They also intend to stimulate training and assessment using modern educational principles [4, 5]. Proper assessment based on clearly defined educational objectives is a prerequisite to mutual recognition of certification of non-domestic anesthesiologists [3]. Postgraduate specialty training has long been based on a classic apprenticeship model. In this model a trainee spends a fixed time in the specialty during which she learns from experienced practitioners in different clinical settings. Often training ends after the prescribed duration and passing of an exam. From this initial model, training has evolved in numerous ways, influenced by national or international regulations and guidelines and local job requirements. Therefore, considerable differences in criteria and processes for certification in anesthesiology in Europe are expected, but the extent to which these differences exist is unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate and compare postgraduate anesthesiology training programs across Europe, focusing on assessment and certification processes. METHODS Design An online survey was performed among national representatives to UEMS/EBA, which includes thirty-six European and affiliated countries. As a representative body, UEMS/ EBA is devoted to fostering high standards in quality of anesthesiology care and training in Europe. We assumed that each national representative had insight in the current status and developments in postgraduate training in their countries. With the survey, we requested for supporting documentation.