Postgraduate education and training of European physicians involved in insurance medical work

Abstract

Aims: Insurance medicine being only in a few countries a recognized medical specialty, there are only in some countries registered insurance physicians. Yet in all countries, medical doctors carry out assessments in the context of the social security framework. In countries where there are no registered insurance physicians, these assessments are being carried out by doctors whose education and training are determined by history and national legislation. The aim of this study was to describe and compare the postgraduate education and training of physicians involved in insurance medical work in 15 European countries. Methods: We organized a European expert meeting consisting of three phases: a preparatory phase in order for 21 participants to prepare themselves for the meeting, a written phase at the meeting, an oral phase with systematic rounds of questions and discussion followed by analysis and classification of data. Results: Education and training requirements for physicians involved in insurance medical work differ in Europe, as do the actual available training and education programs offered, both at the start and throughout the career in this field. The current situation varies from nonexistent in three countries to a full postgraduate program leading to a registered medical specialization in seven countries. Continuous medical education also varies from nonexistent, through general to specific insurance medical training in eight countries. Conclusion: Harmonization of the postgraduate education and training program of the physicians involved in the insurance medical work in Europe is needed. Setting the basis for European standards in insurance medicine education and advocating for competence-based training are not only the conditions for European recognition but would also further insurance medicine as a medical specialty.