Procedural aspects of the organization of the comprehensive European Board of Ophthalmology Diploma examination.

Danny G.P Mathysen,Wagih Aclimandos,Marie-José Tassignon,Rafael Martinez-Costa,Christina Grupcheva,Peter J Ringens,Catherine Creuzot-Garcher,Edoardo Midena,Gordana Sunaric-Mégevand,Artur Klett,Denise Curtin

doi:10.3352/jeehp.2016.13.27

Abstract

The comprehensive European Board of Ophthalmology Diploma (EBOD) examination is one of 38 European medical specialty examinations. This review aims at disclosing the specific procedures and content of the EBOD examination. It is a descriptive study summarizing the present organization of the EBOD examination. It is the 3rd largest European postgraduate medical assessment after anaesthesiology and cardiology. The master language is English for the Part 1 written test (knowledge test with 52 modified type X multiple-choice questions) (in the past the written test was also available in French and German). Ophthalmology training of minimum 4 years in a full or associated European Union of Medical Specialists (UEMS) member state is a prerequisite. Problem-solving skills are tested in the Part 2 oral assessment, which is a viva of 4 subjects conducted in English with support for native language whenever feasible. The comprehensive EBOD examination is one of the leading examinations organized by UEMS European Boards or Specialist Sections from the point of number of examinees, item banking, and item contents.

Highlights

The comprehensive European Board of Ophthalmology Diploma (EBOD) examination has a long tradition and is one of the oldest European medical specialist examinations
It aims at demystifying all procedural aspects of the organization of the comprehensive EBOD examination by providing complete transparency both to future participating candidates as well as to the responsible leaders in ophthalmic education within the various countries of the European Union of Medical Specialists (UEMS) to create a platform for further official recognition of the comprehensive EBOD examination within these countries
Whereas Part 1 of the comprehensive EBOD examination will focus predominantly on the assessment of knowledge, Part 2 will focus more on assessment of higher-order reflection and professional attitude of candidates. Topics and their item numbers covered in Part 1 of the comprehensive EBOD examination was as follows: optics, refraction, and contact lenses; pediatric ophthalmology and strabismus; external, corneal, and adnexal disease; glaucoma, cataract, and refractive surgery; retina, vitreous, and uvea; neuro-ophthalmology; orbital disease and oculoplastic surgery; general medicine relevant to ophthalmology; ophthalmic pathology, microbiology, and immunology; and pharmacology and therapeutics

Summary

Introduction

The comprehensive European Board of Ophthalmology Diploma (EBOD) examination has a long tradition and is one of the oldest European medical specialist examinations. Whereas Part 1 of the comprehensive EBOD examination will focus predominantly on the assessment of knowledge, Part 2 will focus more on assessment of higher-order reflection and professional attitude of candidates Topics and their item numbers covered in Part 1 of the comprehensive EBOD examination was as follows: optics, refraction, and contact lenses (between 4 and 7 multiple-choice questions [MCQs]); pediatric ophthalmology and strabismus (between 4 and 7 MCQs); external, corneal, and adnexal disease (between 4 and 7 MCQs); glaucoma, cataract, and refractive surgery (between 4 and 7 MCQs); retina, vitreous, and uvea (between 4 and 7 MCQs); neuro-ophthalmology (between 4 and 7 MCQs); orbital disease and oculoplastic surgery (between 4 and 7 MCQs); general medicine relevant to ophthalmology (between 4 and 7 MCQs); ophthalmic pathology, microbiology, and immunology (between 4 and 7 MCQs); and pharmacology and therapeutics (between 4 and 7 MCQs). In case candidates would have chosen for the French or German language, the questionnaire is provided only in this language without permanent availability of the items in the master language, candidates are offered the possibility to have supervised consultation time of the master version of a specific MCQ in case of doubt

Result of test

Findings

Conclusion