European Training Research Articles

Interrelation between anaesthesiology and intensive care medicine training in Europe: An ESAIC National Anaesthesiologists Societies Committee survey.

Interrelation between anaesthesiology and intensive care medicine training in Europe: An ESAIC National Anaesthesiologists Societies Committee survey.

Decolonising the European conservation curriculum

European conservation-restoration training programmes offer curricula that tend to be rooted in Eurocentrism. Over the last decades, conservation scholars have called for a re-interpretation of the sector, based on a need to acknowledge and respond to global social developments, including the call for decolonisation—calls that would naturally change training programmes. In Australia and Canada, for example, training programmes long ago embarked on a path of reforming their curricula and including non-Eurocentric ways of conserving. On the other hand, higher education programmes in conservation in Europe have only recently begun to discuss alternatives to their current curricula. To address this concern, this article focusses on approaches aimed at ‘decolonising the curriculum’ as a means for European conservation training programmes to achieve greater alignment with current social developments. Such approaches may serve as a strategic device for formulating recommendations geared to triggering curricula transformations and bringing them into line with major social issues in our contemporary world, as well as to provide a broader and more diverse epistemic foundation for the professional efforts of future conservation experts.

How perception affects participation: the case of adult learning and continued vocational education and training in Europe

ABSTRACT In this paper, we aim to understand how perceptions of adult learning and continued vocational education and training (CVET) are related to participation in these activities. Specifically, participation within the previous 12 months in different kinds of adult learning and CVET is analysed, distinguishing between (1) formal, (2) non-formal work-related, (3) non-formal non-work-related, and (4) informal learning and CVET of adults. Using novel survey data from the European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training (Cedefop), the probability of participation in adult learning and CVET is estimated by means of linear and logistic regression models. Results show a highly significant positive relationship between perceptions and participation. If adult learning and CVET are perceived as important, the likelihood to participate in them increases. We also find evidence that age, education and occupational category can be associated with different participation rates in adult learning and CVET.

From the establishment of a national bioinformatics society to the development of a national bioinformatics infrastructure

We describe the evolution of a bioinformatics national capacity from scattered professionals into a collaborative organisation, and advancements in the adoption of the bioinformatics infrastructure philosophy by the national community. The Romanian Society of Bioinformatics (RSBI), a national professional society, was founded in 2019 to accelerate the development of Romanian bioinformatics. Incrementally, RSBI expanded its role to include: i) developing a community and engaging the public and stakeholders, ii) a national training approach, including through increased interactions with European training resources, and iii) advocating national participation in European bioinformatics infrastructures. In a next step RSBI led the development of the national bioinformatics infrastructure, the Romanian Bioinformatics Cluster (CRB) with the mission to act as an ELIXIR National Node. In this paper we report both the successful projects in training, public engagement, and policy projects, as well as initiatives related to data federation that, while not successful, can serve as valuable learning experiences for future implementations. We explain CRB’s structure and the role such an entity can play in the national bioinformatics infrastructure for data, tools, and training. Finally, we offer insights into the evolving role of the bioinformatics professional society and the synergies and interactions with the National ELIXIR Node

Towards a New Model of Teacher Training in Europe

Towards a New Model of Teacher Training in Europe

Functional neurological disorder in Europe: regional differences in education and health policy.

Functional neurological disorder (FND) is a common cause of neurological disability. Despite recent advances in pathophysiological understanding and treatments, application of this knowledge to clinical practice is variable and limited. Our aim was to provide an expert overview of the state of affairs of FND practice across Europe, focusing on education and training, access to specialized care, reimbursement and disability policies, and academic and patient-led representation of people with FND. We conducted a survey across Europe, featuring one expert per country. We asked experts to compare training and services for people with FND to those provided to people with multiple sclerosis (MS). Responses from 25 countries revealed that only five included FND as a mandatory part of neurological training, while teaching about MS was uniformly included. FND was part of final neurology examinations in 3/17 countries, unlike MS that was included in all 17. Seventeen countries reported neurologists with an interest in FND but the estimated mean ratio of FND-interested neurologists to MS neurologists was 1:20. FND coding varied, with psychiatric coding for FND impacting treatment access and disability benefits in the majority of countries. Twenty countries reported services refusing to see FND patients. Eight countries reported an FND special interest group or network; 11 reported patient-led organizations. FND is largely a marginal topic within European neurology training and there is limited access to specialized care and disability benefits for people with FND across Europe. We discuss how this issue can be addressed at an academic, healthcare and patient organization level.

Identifying and addressing mentorship gaps in European trauma and emergency surgical training. Results from the Young European Society of Trauma and Emergency Surgery (yESTES) mentorship survey.

European training pathways for surgeons dedicated to treating severely injured and critically ill surgical patients lack a standardized approach and are significantly influenced by diverse organizational and cultural backgrounds. This variation extends into the realm of mentorship, a vital component for the holistic development of surgeons beyond mere technical proficiency. Currently, a comprehensive understanding of the mentorship landscape within the European trauma care (visceral or skeletal) and emergency general surgery (EGS) communities is lacking. This study aims to identify within the current mentorship environment prevalent practices, discern existing gaps, and propose structured interventions to enhance mentorship quality and accessibility led by the European Society for Trauma and Emergency Surgery (ESTES). Utilizing a structured survey conceived and promoted by the Young section of the European Society of Trauma and Emergency Surgery (yESTES), we collected and analyzed responses from 123 ESTES members (both surgeons in practice and in training) across 20 European countries. The survey focused on mentorship experiences, challenges faced by early-career and female surgeons, the integration of non-technical skills (NTS) in mentorship, and the perceived role of surgical societies in facilitating mentorship. Findings highlighted a substantial mentorship experience gap, with 74% of respondents engaging in mostly informal mentorship, predominantly centered on surgical training. Notably, mentorship among early-career surgeons and trainees was less reported, uncovering a significant early-career gap. Female surgeons, representing a minority within respondents, reported a disproportionately poorer access to mentorship. Moreover, while respondents recognized the importance of NTS, these were inadequately addressed in current mentorship practices. The current mentorship input of surgical societies, like ESTES, is viewed as insufficient, with a call for structured programs and initiatives such as traveling fellowships and remote mentoring. Our survey underscores critical gaps in the current mentorship landscape for trauma and EGS in Europe, particularly for early-career and female surgeons. A clear need exists for more formalized, inclusive mentorship programs that adequately cover both technical and non-technical skills. ESTES could play a pivotal role in addressing these gaps through structured interventions, fostering a more supportive, inclusive, and well-rounded surgical community.

Evaluation of university and training standards in clinical perfusion, an European-wide survey.

Adequate theoretical and practical training of prospective clinical perfusionists is essential for maintaining clinical standards and ensuring patient safety during cardiac surgery procedures. Perfusion schools play a crucial role in establishing and maintaining higher education and training standards in clinical perfusion. The aim of this study is to obtain a comprehensive overview of European training standards in clinical perfusion in 2023. For this study, 53 perfusion schools in Europe were found and contacted, of which 30 (56.6%) responded, giving a sample size of n = 30, which were then included in the data analysis. The quantitative data of the survey are analysed using descriptive methods. The university and training standards in clinical perfusion in Europe vary in many respects. Starting with the entry criterion for studies (most frequently a required bachelor's degree 36.7% or 2nd most common an university entrance qualification 30%), the duration [from <12 months (13.3%) up to 36 months (13.3%)] and regarding the content of the teaching in clinical perfusion [<30 European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) (33.3%) and more than 180 ECTS (6.7%)]. The mean value for teaching in clinical perfusion content is 62.63 ECTS credits. The obtained results show important differences between countries and schools. As such, they form a valuable database for future discussions establishing a common European curriculum and training standards for perfusionists. For the generalizability of the results, further evaluations and larger samples are needed.

Development and validation of a national clinical pharmacy competency framework for hospital pharmacists in Austria: a multi-method study.

Despite the publication of a European wide competency framework for hospital pharmacy by the European Association of Hospital Pharmacist (EAHP) in 2017, not all countries have adopted and implemented such a framework. This study aimed to develop and validate a bespoke national hospital pharmacy competency framework for Austria that supports the hospital pharmacy workforce development. A multi-method study was carried out in three phases. (I) A systematic literature review across 48 websites of healthcare-related associations and six scientific databases was conducted, identifying competency frameworks, guidelines and related documents. (II) Extracted behaviour competencies were reviewed for contextual national appropriateness by three researchers prior to mapping against the "Patient Care and Clinical Pharmacy Skills" domain of European Common Training Framework (CTF). (III) Validation of the resultant draft clinical skills competency framework took place by an expert panel (n = 4; Austrian Association of Hospital Pharmacists (AAHP) board members) discussion. Reporting of findings is aligned with the recommendations for reporting Competency Framework Development in health professions (CONFERD-HP guidelines) and the PRISMA 2020 checklist. The systematic review (SR) resulted in 28 frameworks, guidelines and related documents and the identification of 379 behaviour competencies, with nineteen mapped to the "Patient Care and Clinical Pharmacy Skills" domain of the CTF (after removal of duplicates). Expert panel discussion resulted in suggested changes to ensure contextual national appropriateness. This study resulted in the development and validation of the first clinical national pharmacy competency framework for Austria. Future studies should focus on political and practical structures necessary for its successful implementation.

INTERMEDIATE RESULTS OF THE ACTIVITIES OF THE NEW PERMANENTLY OPERATING CENTER FOR EDUCATIONAL COOPERATION OF THE ETAF HUMANITARIAN MISSION FOR THE IDENTIFICATION OF DEAD IN MASS DISASTERS OPENED IN UKRAINE

The work describes the intermediate results of the Humanitarian Training Center by the European Training Center for Disaster Victim Identification and Forensic Sciences – forensic medical identification of victims of mass disasters, which was opened in September 2023 in Chernivtsi on the basis of the Bukovyna State Medical University and CMI "Regional Bureau of Forensic Medical Examination", in connection with the full-scale invasion of the troops of the russian federation into Ukraine. The center was created to solve humanitarian tasks during armed conflicts and mass disasters.

Mot d’ouverture

The 22nd edition of the European Summer School of the OFFRES network (Frenchspeaking Organization for European Training and Research in humanities) in the CAAS (Centre for Advances Academic Studies) in Dubrovnik (23-30.07.2023), under the title “On the usefulness and the disadvantages of adaptation under the aegis of Molière”, aimed to commemorate the 400 years of birth and the 350 years of death of Molière (1622-1673), while transposing the question of adaptation into the field of Humanities. This edition was organized by the network (Chiara Mengozzi, Chiara Pesaresi) and Maja Vukušić Zorica from the University of Zagreb. It brought together professors and specialists in Humanities, Ph.D. and MA students (and this year some BA students), a total of 52 people from 30 countries including 23 professors, 9 foreign Ph.D. students, 1 foreign student and 19 (!) Croatian students of French Language and Literature from the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences in Zagreb. All students participated in 6 workshops and presented the results of their work. This edition of the Summer School is presenting for the first time not only the articles of plenary speakers, but also the work of the students with the specialists that led the workshops, which are, for most of them, the crucial first steps in their future scientific career. The University of Zagreb recognized our efforts and awarded 3 ECTS points to this edition of our Summer School.

European Health Information Training Programme: a sustainable strategy for strengthening capacity in health information.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, a need for a uniform approach to health information (HI) knowledge in population health analysis across Europe was evident. The Population Health Information Research Infrastructure (PHIRI) emerged as a proactive initiative to strengthen European HI capacities. This article describes the achievements of PHIRI, highlighting its capacity-building activities and their contribution towards a sustainable strategy for the implementation of the European Health Data Space (EHDS). PHIRI collaboration established a work package for skill-building activities in population health in partnership with other organizations. Activities included webinars, workshops, sessions, training schools and courses for researchers and public administration workers from Europe and beyond. The primary goal of the activities was to examine the impact of COVID-19 on European health systems at both local and national levels, including healthcare facilities and policymaking entities. Twelve activities were organized between October 2020 and the summer of 2023. In March 2023, the Spring School on Health Information was organized to share the knowledge achieved from PHIRI and other European Union-related projects. This event also validated the European Health Information Training Programme. PHIRI's findings emphasized the importance of equipping the workforce with core HI skills to improve health systems' preparedness and resilience. Through this research, it is possible to propose a strategy for building capacity that emphasizes the importance of providing training in human-machine dynamics. This approach will contribute to the sustainable implementation of the EHDS.

Evolvement of new professions in the sphere of career guidance as an imperative of our time

Introduction. The current situation with the employment of graduates, when almost half of them do not work in their speciality, is a negative phenomenon for both the state and the citizens. One of the reasons for this situation is a gap between the graduates’ expectations and the real content of labour activity. The core of the problem is inefficient career guidance. The need to modernise the career guidance system is recognised worldwide. Forecasting of new professions for career guidance should be one of the directions of this modernisation. Specialists having new competencies will be able to ensure the systemic and planned nature of transformations in the sphere of career guidance in order to optimise it. The aim of the study is to justify the need for and predict the emergence of new professions to improve the efficiency of career guidance. Materials and methods. The study involved the materials of the European Training Foundation, the World Economic Forum; the documents of the Ministry of Education of the Russian Federation: letters, orders, methodological recommendations; the data of the Russian Federal State Statistics Service; scientific articles by Russian and foreign authors. The following methods were used: theoretical analysis of the career guidance development sphere; inductive inferencing; forecasting based on the study of documents and scientific literature on the problem. Results. At present, there is a problem connected with the professional training of specialists engaged in career guidance. People with education in the fields of pedagogy, psychology, sociology and social work are not able to efficiently solve the numerous tasks of modern career counselling. The solution can be achieved by the introduction of new specialisations of employees in this sphere matching the needs of modernity and development trends. It is predicted that these specialisations will be transformed into new professions in the future. For instance, such new professions for career counselling as career research foresighter (prognosticator), career guidance playwork specialist, career guidance testing specialist and developer, career guidance imagemaker, etc. will presumably appear. Conclusion. The modernisation of the career guidance system requires innovations not only in its content and technical fit-out but also in its staffing. The research results can be further used in the process of development of new qualification requirements; for substantiation of proposals on training specialists in upand-coming professions in the sphere of career guidance. They can also serve as a basis for the development of training programmes in new specialities.

Setting the European standards for training in Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine.

The mission of the European Board of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine (PRM) is to the ensure a consistent and high-level education for PRM physicians across Europe. An important action to accomplish this mission is the publication and continuous update of the European Training Requirements (ETRs) for the specialty of PRM. The first version of the ETRs for PRM was issued in 2017. The aim was to present the up-to-date training standards for trainees, trainers, and training institutions. The revision of the first ETRs, aiming to reflect the current standards in medical education and clinical advances in the field or PRM, started in 2022 and was completed in 2023. It was based on the Rehabilitation Competency Framework and the "Guide for using a contextualised competency framework to develop rehabilitation programmes and their curricula" published by the WHO in 2021. An important addition in the new version of the ETRs is the integration of Entrustable Professional Activities. In all endeavours of the creation of the ETRs, setting the highest standards of training in PRM was pursued.

The European Vocational Education and Training System: Towards a Unified Approach

The European vocational education and training system exhibits significant diversity, with each country implementing its unique approach. While a unified European solution is desirable, a lack of comprehensive knowledge in this area hinders the development of policies that could establish a basic model applicable to all countries, albeit with necessary variations due to socio-economic nuances. European policymakers and stakeholders recognize the importance of vocational education and training, including formats like Dual School and Work-based Learning. Nations have committed to common targets in their education and training strategies, driven by globalized competition and the need for professional workers skilled in new technologies. Nevertheless, with the support of established systems, this European solution shows great potential for seamless operation and effectiveness. A successful European strategy would take into account the advancements in technology, the unique regional and national characteristics of the workforce in terms of traditional skills and competencies, and notably, the available natural resources. These resources have become a crucial factor in industrial efficiency and competitiveness. Implementation of dual school models varies at the European level, influenced by national strategies shaped by local factors. Some countries prioritize collaboration with stakeholders and regulatory frameworks to optimize professional training, while others, like Romania and Bulgaria, are just beginning to adopt dual school laws, with emerging examples of best practices. Romania, in particular, has largely followed the German model due to economic influences. In 2006, the European Council recognized vocational training through dual schools as an excellent investment, yielding high returns, surpassing initial costs, and delivering long-term efficiency and productivity benefits.

Variations in sexual and reproductive health services for the provision of comprehensive contraceptive and abortion services across Europe: A questionnaire-based study commissioned by the European Board and College of Obstetrics & Gynaecology (EBCOG) and European Society of Contraception (ESC)

A questionnaire-based study was jointly organised by European Board and College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and European Society of Contraception to evaluate the current status as regards access and quality of care regarding contraception, abortion care, and pre-conceptional counselling and care among the 26 European countries. There are considerable variations among these countries as regards the provision of contraceptive services and abortion care. There is ample room for improvement through European training and education programs.However, the most important difference is the absence of a comprehensive network of healthcare providers in various countries to deliver these services at different points of access. There is notable absence of educational programs and instructional materials tailored specifically for nurses and midwives in several countries. This deficiency impedes the professional development and skills enhancement of these healthcare professionals, potentially compromising the quality of healthcare services provided to women in these countries.

Meeting the need for effective and standardized neonatology training: a pan-European Master’s Curriculum

Neonatology is a pediatric sub-discipline focused on providing care for newborn infants, including healthy newborns, those born prematurely, and those who present with illnesses or malformations requiring medical care. The European Training Requirements (ETR) in Neonatology provide a framework for standardized quality and recognition of equality of training throughout Europe. The latest ETR version was approved by the Union of European Medical Specialists (UEMS) in April 2021. Here, we present the curriculum of the European School of Neonatology Master of Advanced Studies (ESN MAS), which is based on the ETR in Neonatology and aims to provide a model for effective and standardized training and education in neonatal medicine. We review the history and theory that form the foundation of contemporary medical education and training, provide a literature review on best practices for medical training, pediatric training, and neonatology training specifically, including educational frameworks and evidence-based systems of evaluation. The ESN MAS Curriculum is then evaluated in light of these best practices to define its role in meeting the need for a standardized empirically supported neonatology training curriculum for physicians, and in the future for nurses, to improve the quality of neonatal care for all infants.Impact statementA review of the neonatology training literature was conducted, which concluded that there is a need for standardized neonatology training across international contexts to keep pace with growth in the field and rapidly advancing technology. This article presents the European School of Neonatology Master of Advanced Studies in Neonatology, which is intended to provide a standardized training curriculum for pediatricians and nurses seeking sub-specialization in neonatology. The curriculum is evaluated in light of best practices in medical education, neonatology training, and adult learning theory.

Використання великих даних для інформаційного забезпечення ринку праці

The challenges of collecting current labor market data amidst global changes and geopolitical fluctuations increasingly necessitate new approaches and alternative methods of data collection and analysis. This highlights the relevance of research aimed at developing and adapting labor market information provision methods to contemporary challenges. A promising approach in this context is the use of Big Data for labor market assessment, which involves collecting information from sources such as online job search and vacancy portals. This method allows for a deeper analysis of market trends and provides a more accurate and timely assessment of labor market needs and opportunities. The aim of this article is to discuss approaches to developing labor market information systems using Big Data, particularly online data from job vacancy websites. It examines the use of Big Data in labor market analysis based on a database containing over four million job vacancies posted on Ukrainian job search portals over the last five years, provided by the European Training Foundation (ETF). The effectiveness of these approaches in facilitating job search for all interested parties is evaluated, particularly through providing insights into the dynamics of supply and demand in the labor market based on data from these portals. The opportunities and limitations of using Big Data in this context are analyzed, including their impact on employment policy development and labor market planning. The potential benefits of Big Data in providing deeper and more accurate market condition analyses are outlined, along with technical aspects and challenges associated with their processing and interpretation. The article examines methodological approaches to data collection and analytical processing in the context of accelerated transformations, volatility, and limited access to traditional information resources. The scientific novelty of the article lies in the substantiation of the feasibility and appropriateness of using open data from online job portals for labor market information provision under current conditions. In conducting the research, methods of analysis, synthesis, and generalization were applied to identify the main contemporary issues of labor market information provision in Ukraine. The effectiveness of data collection methods based on web scraping and parsing techniques was evaluated, as well as the use of the integrated Snowflake platform to identify key trends and patterns in the labor market. The conclusions summarize the main points and substantiate directions for further research, highlighting the significance of Big Data in developing employment strategies and optimizing the labor market.

Anaesthesia training designs across Europe: A survey-based study from the trainees committee of the European Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care

BackgroundAnaesthesiology training programs in Europe vary in duration, content, and requirements for completion. This survey-based study conducted by the Trainees Committee of the European Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care explores current anaesthesia training designs across Europe. MethodsBetween May and July 2018, we sent a 41-item online questionnaire to all National Trainee Representatives, members of the National Anaesthesiologists Societies Committee, and Council Representatives of the European Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care (ESAIC) of all member countries. We cross-validated inconsistent data with different country representatives. ResultsForty-three anaesthesiologists from all 39 associated ESAIC countries completed the questionnaire. Results showed considerable variability in teaching formats, frequency of teaching sessions during training, and differences in assessments made during and at the end of training. The reported duration of training was 60 months in 59% (n = 23) of participating countries, ranging from 24 months in Russia and Ukraine to 84 months in the UK. ConclusionThis study shows the significant differences in anaesthesiology training formats across Europe, and highlights the importance of developing standardised training programs to ensure a consistent level of training and to improve patient safety. This study provides valuable insights into European anaesthesia training, and underlines the need for further research and collaboration to improve requirements.

Diseños de formación en anestesia en Europa: estudio basado en una encuesta realizado por el comité de residentes de la European Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care (ESAIC)

BackgroundAnaesthesiology training programs in Europe vary in duration, content, and requirements for completion. This survey-based study conducted by the Trainees Committee of the European Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care explores current anaesthesia training designs across Europe. MethodsBetween May and July 2018, we sent a 41-item online questionnaire to all National Trainee Representatives, members of the National Anaesthesiologists Societies Committee, and Council Representatives of the European Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care (ESAIC) of all member countries. We cross-validated inconsistent data with different country representatives. ResultsForty-three anaesthesiologists from the 39 associated ESAIC countries completed the questionnaire. Results showed considerable variability in teaching formats, frequency of teaching sessions during training, and differences in assessments made during and at the end of training. The reported duration of training was 60 months in 59% (n=23) of participating countries, ranging from 24 months in Russia and Ukraine to 84 months in the UK. ConclusionThis study shows the significant differences in anaesthesiology training formats across Europe, and highlights the importance of developing standardised training programs to ensure a consistent level of training and to improve patient safety. This study provides valuable insights into European anaesthesia training, and underlines the need for further research and collaboration to improve requirements.