The new European Curriculum for Training ObGyn has launched!
Among the core objectives of EBCOG (European Board & College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology) and ENTOG (European Network of Trainees in Obstetrics and Gynaecology) are the quality of training and ensuring optimal healthcare for women and their babies in Europe. The Project for Achieving Consensus in Training (PACT)
is a great example of fulfilling these goals through the development of the new European consensus-based curriculum for training in ObGyn.
In this project both medical specialists and trainees from all over Europe have worked together by sharing their experiences with and expertise on high-quality training and healthcare. EBCOG-PACT has consequently laid down the foundation for the implementation of training standards throughout Europe.
In EBCOG-PACT, the knowledge, skills and attitudes required for every European gynaecologist have been defined as the ‘core’ curriculum. Additionally, ‘electives’ have been described, which are positioned between the core curriculum and the subspecialties. Each trainee should be trained in at least one elective. The core and
electives have been developed with the use of formal consensus techniques and discussions within EBCOG and its subspecialty organizations. In addition to the medical competencies, PACT also emphasizes the development of soft skills and the use of simulation training.
PACT also delivers guidance for training at the tactical level. Examples of this are:
- entrustment of professional activities based on a portfolio of learning experience
- assessments and evaluation by a competence committee;
- quality management of the training institution and recognition by an external accreditor
Defining core competencies of specialists across a wide geographical area with varied socio-demographic factors was a challenging task. The authors hope that PACT will help to customize the training programs to the needs of individual nations.
Having a common European curriculum will increase the mobility of gynaecologists and trainees in Europe and enable us to learn from each other’s systems of healthcare.
The next step is bringing the curriculum into action. If you have any ideas of how the new European curriculum could be promoted in your country, you are welcome to contact ebcogpact@gmail.com or executive@entog.eu.
The project was funded by the European Union Erasmus+ programme.
Project chair: Fedde Scheele
Project manager: Jessica van der Aa
