UEMS - European Board of Rheumatology
The UEMS was established in 1958, one year after the founding of the European Economic Community, to establish common criteria for specialists to move between member countries. It has continued to focus on professional and training issues that are relevant to the ability for doctors to practice in any member state with mutual recognition of their training. The UEMS works closely with the European Commission and the Advisory Committee for Medical Training (ACMT). It works through a board and there are sections in 36 specialties.
The UEMS Section of Rheumatology was established in 1962. The European Board of Rheumatology was created by the UEMS Section of Rheumatology in 1993, in common with the other specialty sections, as a working group to guarantee optimal care in rheumatology by bringing the training of rheumatologists to the highest level possible.
Mission
The aim of the UEMS Section of Rheumatology/European Board of Rheumatology is to maintain the highest level of care with the best outcome for those with musculoskeletal conditions through establishing and maintaining high professional standards amongst rheumatologists in Europe.
Objectives
- To improve the awareness of UEMS/EBR and its activities amongst rheumatologists and their national societies, national organisations responsible for training and CME and the European Commission; to improve its organization; communication and influence.
- To raise standards of specialist training by
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- establishing standards of training centres
- ensuring these standards are met by training centres by processes of accreditation, documentation and visitation
- ensuring that trainees have a comprehensive training according to UEMS/EBR and national standards and that there is evidence of the satisfactory completion of this with the acquisition of appropriate competencies through log books, appraisal and possibly by examination
- enabling training in different centres within Europe
- To maintain standards of clinical care by recommendations for requirements for CME
- To ensure provision of appropriate and high quality educational activity; setting and monitoring standards for courses, meetings and other educational activities.
- To promote the development of the specialty of rheumatology
Membership
Membership consists of a representative of the relevant professional organisation and of the academic organisation for each European Union or associated country, the president of EULAR as well as the chair of EULAR Education and Training Standing Committee.
Working groups
The UEMS Section of Rheumatology/European Board of Rheumatology fulfills its objectives through working groups which are established dependent on activities.
Activities
The UEMS Section of Rheumatology/European Board of Rheumatology has developed:
- Recommendations for training centres, trainers and trainees
- Specialist training curriculum and log book
- Charter on CME in rheumatology
- Core curriculum for CME/CPD
- Standards for quality assurance of CME activities in collaboration with EACCME
- Recommendations for provision of a rheumatology service for those with musculoskeletal conditions.
A database is being developed of specialist training centres throughout Europe. This will be put on the web and will be updatable by the centres themselves.
The UEMS Section of Rheumatology/European Board of Rheumatology are developing methods to assess and appraisal rheumatologists such as examination, visitation and other methods of appraisal.
Surveys are being undertaken to monitor:
- Manpower
- Patterns of clinical practice
- Specialist training
- Continuing medical education.
Related Information
Executive Group
President:
Vassilios Papalois
Vice President:
Nada Cikes
Secretary General:
João Grenho
Treasurer: Othmar Haas
UEMS documents and website
List of documents to download
EULAR School of Rheumatology
[*]External link