TY - JOUR

T1 - The European database for subspecialist training in neonatology - transparency achieved

AU - Breindahl, Morten

AU - Blennow, Mats

AU - Fauchère, Jean-Claude

AU - Lluch, Marta Thio

AU - De Luca, Daniele

AU - Marlow, Neil

AU - Picaud, Jean-Charles

AU - Roehr, Charles Christoph

AU - Vanpée, Mireille

AU - Vilamor, Eduardo

AU - Zaharie, Gabriela

AU - Greisen, Gorm

N1 - Copyright © 2012 S. Karger AG, Basel.

PY - 2013

Y1 - 2013

N2 - Background: The European Society for Neonatology (ESN) developed a curriculum for subspecialist training in Europe recommending standards for national neonatal training programmes. We speculate whether these official recommendations are widely accepted or used in practice. Objectives: To characterize the variation in national neonatal training programmes, to enhance transparency, and to compare them to the ESN Curriculum. Methods: We constructed a database based on the backbone of the ESN Curriculum: (1) training - knowledge, (2) training - skills, (3) key competencies, (4) personal development, and (5) recording of progress. National neonatal representatives from all 30 member states of the Union of European Medical Specialties (UEMS) provided data on national training programmes. Results: Although only one country (3%) based its neonatology training entirely on the ESN Curriculum, we found high levels of uniformity among the UEMS member countries regarding knowledge, skills, and key competencies needed to practice neonatology at a tertiary care level. Discrepancy was encountered on ethical and legal issues and on personal development of the trainees. Mentoring and professional evaluation was generally not implemented in the participating countries. Conclusions: There is an awareness and readiness to focus on educational demands for neonatal trainees. Further discussions about the overall educational goals of neonatal training and the essence of practicing neonatology in each country are needed. The ESN will undertake this process to provide an updated and effective syllabus aimed to harmonize care and outcomes for babies and their families across Europe.

AB - Background: The European Society for Neonatology (ESN) developed a curriculum for subspecialist training in Europe recommending standards for national neonatal training programmes. We speculate whether these official recommendations are widely accepted or used in practice. Objectives: To characterize the variation in national neonatal training programmes, to enhance transparency, and to compare them to the ESN Curriculum. Methods: We constructed a database based on the backbone of the ESN Curriculum: (1) training - knowledge, (2) training - skills, (3) key competencies, (4) personal development, and (5) recording of progress. National neonatal representatives from all 30 member states of the Union of European Medical Specialties (UEMS) provided data on national training programmes. Results: Although only one country (3%) based its neonatology training entirely on the ESN Curriculum, we found high levels of uniformity among the UEMS member countries regarding knowledge, skills, and key competencies needed to practice neonatology at a tertiary care level. Discrepancy was encountered on ethical and legal issues and on personal development of the trainees. Mentoring and professional evaluation was generally not implemented in the participating countries. Conclusions: There is an awareness and readiness to focus on educational demands for neonatal trainees. Further discussions about the overall educational goals of neonatal training and the essence of practicing neonatology in each country are needed. The ESN will undertake this process to provide an updated and effective syllabus aimed to harmonize care and outcomes for babies and their families across Europe.

U2 - 10.1159/000342932

DO - 10.1159/000342932

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 23128586

VL - 103

SP - 74

EP - 82

JO - Neonatology

JF - Neonatology

SN - 1661-7800

IS - 1

ER -