ESPE Abstracts

Background: A Europe-wide training program in Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes (PED) was initiated by Professor Leo Van den Brande in 1976. PED was recognised as a subspecialty in 1996 by the European Board of Paediatrics (EBP), which is a section of the Union of European Medical Specialists (UEMS). UEMS aims to ensure high standards for training across Europe and the minimum requirements are set out in the European Training Requirements (ETR). The first PED training syllabus (that explicitly describes the content to be learnt in a subject) was submitted to UEMS for approval in 1996. Regular updates that reflect scientific and medical progress are recommended at approximately 5-yearly intervals, and were undertaken in 1997, 1998, 2005 and 2013. Thus our aim in 2019 was to update the PED ETR.

Methods: A Syllabus Taskforce, comprising a lead and four members, was established in 2019. All were consultants in PED, interested in education and from different countries. During 2020, they reviewed the 2013 ETR along with advances in PED, and prepared a revised ETR. Contributions and critique were sought from trainees, consultants, ETC members, and members of ESPE Council. Thereafter the PED ETR was submitted to the European Academy of Paediatrics (EAP), EBP and UEMS.

Results: Members of the EAP, EBP and UEMS provided constructive comments. These informed amendments to the PED ETR. Major changes were made to the section on ’Cross cutting and non-technical skills’ and ’Levels of competence for clinical knowledge, skills and reasoning’ adapted from those defined by UEMS. The finalised PED ETR was approved by UEMS on 24 April 2021. It specifies the requirements for training institutions, trainers and trainees. It also provides the detailed syllabus/core content that trainees are expected to achieve in order to become competent independent clinicians in PED. References to consensus guidelines and statements produced and/or endorsed by ESPE, and seminal papers relevant for practicing clinicians are included.

Discussion & Conclusions: The process to develop and approve this 2021 ETR has been rigorous. The latter strengthens the validity of the recommendations. Implementing these will complement professional regulatory requirements for postgraduate training in PED in different countries and allow harmonising standards across Europe.

References: https://www.eurospe.org/education/education-training-syllabus/

https://www.uems.eu/areas-of-expertise/postgraduate-training/european-standards-in-medical-training