Mustafa Karahan, João Espregueira-Mendes and H. Kaya Akan (eds.)Motor Skills Training in Orthopedic Sports Medicine10.1007/978-3-662-53229-4_10

10. Certification of Surgical Skills

Jorge Mineiro¹

(1)

Chairman of European Board Orthopaedics and Traumatology (EBOT) Examining Committee, R. Mário Botas Parque das Nações, 1998-018 Lisbon, Portugal

Jorge Mineiro

Email: jmineiro@netcabo.pt

10.1 Introduction

Europe as a continent is a collection of countries with different backgrounds. The standards of medical education from undergraduate, through resident training, postgraduate training and to professional competence and independent practice are generally high but vary between different countries, and the standards of speciality training are also very demanding but different among European countries.

In 1958, with the foundation of the UEMS (Union Européenne des Médicins Spécialistes), the main concern was the study and promotion of the highest level of training of the medical specialists, medical practice and health care within the European Union in order to facilitate and promote the free movement of doctors as well as patients within the European Union. Harmonisation of the different training programmes around Europe has been one of its major tasks since the beginning although still not fully accomplished at this stage.

However, our main obligation is towards the public and therefore, as very specific medical professionals – surgeons, we must ensure the best quality health care is provided at all levels of clinical practice.

The experience from the Fellowship examination of the European Board of Orthopaedics and Traumatology over the last decade has shown that trainees and young specialists throughout Europe are exposed to different scenarios in their residency that explains the different outcomes at the end of training despite very standardised programmes of training in most European countries.

10.2 Scope of Practice

The scope of practice for the trained orthopaedic surgeon in Europe involves the safe and effective application of all competencies obtained through an effective programme of training. This involves the development of expertise in the three domains recognised in all the medical specialties: a knowledge base, which involves exposure to and complete understanding of the whole of the orthopaedic syllabus; clinical skills, which includes all the practical aspects of patient care and the surgical skills appropriate for a specialist in independent practice and professional behaviour, which includes communication skills, organisation, ethics and probity. Most National Orthopaedic Authorities in Europe have developed syllabi, guidelines and curricula for orthopaedic practice, but these are not always consistent, reliable or integrated. UEMS and EFFORT are in the process of developing a European curriculum, which will be offered by UEMS to National Associations as a framework to allow consistency in training and practice throughout Europe, in line with the recommendations of the Professional Qualifications Directive of the European Commission.

10.3 Professional Role

Orthopaedic surgery is a demanding and sophisticated branch of surgery that like many other specialities has become very technical. The use of implants is common in all branches of orthopaedics and traumatology, and the specialty also lends itself to minimally invasive surgery.

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