ADDENDUM 4

UNION EUROPÉENNE DES MÉDECINS SPÉCIALISTES
EUROPEAN UNION OF MEDICAL SPECIALISTS
U.E.M.S.
European Training Charter for Medical Specialists, UEMS 2008
PATHOLOGY
EUROPEAN BOARD OF PATHOLOGY
Chapter 6, CHARTER on TRAINING
of MEDICAL SPECIALISTS in the EU
DRAFT PROPOSAL REQUIREMENTS for Pathology Training
Newcastle meeting May 2008.
Article 1.
CENTRAL MONITORING AUTHORITY for PATHOLOGY at EU LEVEL
1.1. The monitoring authority for the Specialty Pathology is the European Board of Pathology. The standards are maintained by Institutions in the individual member states. The principal of subsidiarity applies to these bodies. Nations without such bodies can have this function carried out by the European Board of Pathology.
1.2. The Board of Pathology is responsible for the recognition of institutions and teachers in the specialty. The standards are laid down in motions accepted by the Board.
1.3. The Board of Pathology is responsible for setting up at national level a programme of quality assurance of training, of teachers and of training institutions, in accordance with national rules and EU legislation as well as considering UEMS/ European Board recommendations. This will be elaborated in close collaboration with the European Society of Pathology (ESP) and the European Association of Pathology Chairs and Residency Program Directors (EAPCP).
1.4. The Board of Pathology organises a European Examination of Pathology to ensure a system of qualification of medical specialists, recognised by their national Boards in accordance with national rules and EU legislation.
1.5. The different members of the Board of Pathology will supply the Board on a regular basis with the number of training positions and expected vacancies in their countries.
Article 2.
GENERAL ASPECTS of TRAINING in the SPECIALTY
2.1. The Board of Pathology is responsible for keeping a register at national level of medical specialists with data about their specialty, additional qualifications and other relevant matters.
2.2. The duration of training for Pathology is minimum 5 years.
2.3. Every national training programme in pathology should include training in histopathology, cytopathology and autopsy pathology.
2.4. The training programme should be specifically defined. A logbook is recommended in pathology training. Residents should keep a documentation of the number of autopsies and of histological and cytological investigations that they have done to fulfil the criteria laid down in the qualification requirements for the specialty.
2.5. Each country should have a system of quality control and assessment in the training of pathology.
2.6. Trainees should be encouraged to do part of their training in other European countries.
Article 3.
REQUIREMENTS for TRAINING INSTITUTIONS
3.1. Training institutions for the specialty Pathology should fulfil the criteria laid down in the motion number 3 of the Board of Pathology. If the requirements cannot be fulfilled in one institution, a rotation to other training institutions should be facilitated.
3.2. The size and diversity of the training institutions are laid down in motion number 3.
3.3. Quality assurance, health and safety regulations and legal and ethical aspects of medical and pathology practice must be an integral part of the training programme.
Article 4.
REQUIREMENTS for TEACHERS
4.1. The head of training/tutor should have at least 5 years experience after qualification before recognition as such. There should be additional teaching staff. The teacher and the staff should be actively practising pathology. Teachers in specific or subspecialty areas may be recognised for periods during the training.
4.2. The head of training/tutor must work out a training programme for the trainee in accordance with the trainee's own abilities complying with motion 3.
4.3. The ratio between the number of qualified specialists in the teaching staff and the number of trainees must guarantee a close personal monitoring of the trainee during his/her training as well as provide adequate exposure of the trainee to training activities.
Article 5.
REQUIREMENTS for TRAINEES
5.1. Experience: to build up his/her experience, the trainee must be involved in the management of a sufficient number of patients, and perform a sufficient number of autopsies, histological and cytological investigations of sufficient diversity.
5.2. The trainee must have sufficient linguistic ability to study international literature and communicate with foreign colleagues.
5.3. The trainee must keep his/her personal inventory of performance up to date, according to national rules and EU Directives, as well as considering UEMS/ European Board recommendations.

DRAFT PROPOSAL
PATHOLOGY TRAINING IN THE EU
EUROPEAN BOARD of PATHOLOGY of the UEMS
MOTION Nr. 3
UEMS European Board of Pathology in its Newcastle meeting May 2008.
The Section of Pathology recommends the harmonisation of postgraduate training in Pathology in the EU/EFTA member states. The training must as a minimum consist of the common trunk stated below. If the requirements cannot be fulfilled in one institution, a rotation to other training institutions should be facilitated.
1.The purpose of Pathology is to diagnose all diseases and determine their cause, to follow their development and the evaluation of diagnostic and prognostic methods as well as the effect of therapeutic measures by examination of morphological samples with adequate supplement of supporting techniques including markers for normal and abnormal expression of proteins and genes, thus offering advice and support to fellow clinicians in the field of treatment of diseases or their prevention. The purpose of Pathology includes the continuous scientific search for a better biological understanding of diseases and the improvement of the quality of diagnostic methods and their use.
2. Pathology comprises histopathology, cytopathology and autopsy pathology, and embraces a number of more or less well-defined working areas. In some member states particular subspecialties like neuropathology, forensic pathology and paediatric pathology are recognized. These disciplines concern mainly postgraduate training in pathology. However, training in any such specialty must, include the following minimal training period in pathology (see below).
3. The minimum full-time postgraduate training period in Pathology should be five years.
4. Specimens from all areas of pathology should be represented in training programmes.
5. The trainee should have access to and gain experience in relevant techniques, including molecular methods.
6. The trainee should regularly attend and, after some experience, participate in clinico-pathological meetings and teaching sessions for medical students and/or clinicians.
7. The training laboratories should provide such conditions that the trainee can meet the requirements within the period of postgraduate training.
8. The training programme should consist of a spectrum of examinations that includes as a minimum the following procedures in order that it should lead to competences in the different areas of pathology:
8500 morphological examinations including a minimum of
- 4500 histological examinations (with various types of specimens from all organs/systems)
- 2500 cytological examinations (of which a minimum of 1500 gynae-cytological)
- 500 non-gynaecological (100 screened by the trainee)
- 1000 examinations according to special interest of the trainee
100 autopsies (including microscopy, including paediatric autopsies)
These numbers should be documented
9. Quality assurance, health and safety regulations and legal and ethical aspects of pathology and medical practice must be an integral part of the training program.
10. The head of training (tutor) must be qualified professionally. Supervision/accreditation of heads of training must be done by professionally competent institutions defined by the Member State.