Specialist training in infectious diseases in Europe

Salmanton-García, Jon, Guerra Maio, António, Stahl, Jean Paul, Barra, Eoghan DE., Jensen-Fangel, Søren, Torti, Carlo, Kraef, Christian, Miró, José M., Verbon, Annelies, Cornely, Oliver A. and Beeching, Nicholas ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7019-8791 (2024) 'Specialist training in infectious diseases in Europe'. Clinical Microbiology and Infection. (In Press)

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Abstract

Objectives
The objectives were to determine the structure of training programmes and assessment of physicians training to become infectious disease (ID) specialists in Europe in early 2024 and to document the provision of specialists, trainees and training centres in each country.

Methods
Delegates to the ID Section and Board of the European Union of Medical Specialists entered national data on a web-based survey tool in late 2023–early 2024. Results were compared with European Union of Medical Specialists recommendations on the structure and content of postgraduate training in ID in Europe (2018), and to results of a similar survey in early 2021.

Results
Responses were received from all 35 countries; 27/35 (77%) recognize ID as an independent speciality and 7/35 (20%) as a subspeciality. Spain does not officially recognize the speciality. In Cyprus, Iceland, and Luxembourg, despite official recognition of the sub-/speciality, ID training must be completed abroad. Paediatric ID was recognized in 16/35 (46%) countries. The number of adult ID specialists varied from 78.8 per million inhabitants in Sweden to 0.6 in Germany. Only 7/31 (23%) national programmes provide the minimum recommended 6 months of training in medical microbiology. Assessment methods included logbooks/portfolios in 25/31 (81%), final examinations in 25/31 (81%) and workplace-based assessments in 21/31 (68%).

Discussion
There has been little change since 2021 in speciality status or in structure and content of training programmes across Europe. There have been large increases in training position numbers in several countries, possibly in response to COVID-19. Continued low compliance with the 2018 recommendations to increase exposure to medical microbiology during training highlights the slow pace of change. Logistic barriers to change and to harmonization across Europe remain and are discussed in the context of published concerns of trainees.

Item Type:	Article
Subjects:	W General Medicine. Health Professions > Health Services. Patients and Patient Advocacy > W 84 Health services. Delivery of health care WA Public Health > WA 18 Education WC Communicable Diseases > WC 15 Classification of infectious diseases
Faculty: Department:	Clinical Sciences & International Health > Clinical Sciences Department
Digital Object Identifer (DOI):	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cmi.2024.12.026
SWORD Depositor:	JISC Pubrouter
Depositing User:	JISC Pubrouter
Date Deposited:	23 Jan 2025 15:32
Last Modified:	23 Jan 2025 15:32
URI:	https://archive.lstmed.ac.uk/id/eprint/25892

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