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Diploma of European Cardiologist
Eligibility Criteria
To apply for the Diploma of European Cardiologist,
the following criteria must be complied with.
1. The minimum duration of training is
six years
2. Training must include a ‘common trunk’
of general training (taken to be internal medicine but may
include other types of general training) of a minimum duration
of two years. This should, but need not necessarily,
precede specialty training.
3. Training must contain a minimum of three years of
training in cardiology
4. One (1) further year of flexible training may
be devoted to cardiology, or cardiovascular research, internal
medicine, pharmacology, epidemiology, preventive medicine
or rehabilitation, angiology or other related specialties.
5. At least half of cardiology training must occur in
a European country.
6. The applicant must be currently
licensed as a physician in a European country.
7. The applicant must be currently recognised
as a specialist in cardiology in a European country (i.e.
be a member of the European Cardiac Society where currently
practising).
Guidelines for training in basic cardiology
were published by the EBSC
in 1996 (Eur. Heart J 17, 996-1000). In summary, these
require that a cardiologist should have spent a minimum of
six years in training; two must be a part of a common trunk
in internal medicine, three in the specialty, and one flexible
year which may be spent in a related discipline. More
Check the FAQs for additional information
on various cases.
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Advices to applicants
The EBSC has now processed several
hundred applicants. These explanatory notes are written in
the light of that experience, and are intended to answer the
most common questions.
Hitherto most applicants have been well-established
cardiologists. However distinguished the applicant, adequate
supporting documentation is essential.
Confirmation
completion national cardiology training
An applicant should be recognised
as a cardiologist in his/her own country (for EU applicants),
and must be able to demonstrate that their training satisfies
the published requirements.
Applicants must be accredited as a
National Specialist in a European country before successfully
applying for the European Cardiology Diploma and should include
their certificate/diploma of confirmation as a national specialist.
A doctoral degree (MD or PhD) in Cardiology does not equate
with such accreditation.
Absence
of formal accreditation of cardiology specialist
In those countries where formal
accreditation of specialists does not exist, this needs
to be highlighted in the letter of support from the National
Cardiac Society. The letter of support should normally
be written by the President of the Society; when the President
does not have personal knowledge of the applicant he should
invite a supporting letter from another officer or senior
member of the Society. The letter of support must refer specifically
and in some detail to the applicant; a brief, form letter
identical for each applicant from that country but for the
applicant’s name is insufficient. A further letter, that
verifying postgraduate training, must provide independent
proof of the practical and clinical skills of the applicant,
and briefly testify to the adequate nature of the training.
A selection of certificates from courses attended does not
constitute adequate supporting documentation and are unnecessary.
The letter testifying to postgraduate training is best provided
by the national director of training.
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Postgraduate
training in internal medicine not specified
A problem arises when the
post-graduate training in Internal Medicine is not specified.
In most countries, this is an integral part of training as
a cardiologist. The EBSC is prepared to be generous in the
interpretation of what constitutes Internal Medicine, and
has accepted periods in Emergency Medicine, Intensive Care,
and General Practice for example. The EBSC does however believe
that Cardiologists should receive a broad general training
and a minimum requirement of 2 years common trunk training
is stipulated by the European Community Doctors’ Directive
upon which the European Cardiology Diploma requirements are
based.
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Ability
to communicate
Evidence of an ability to communicate
is a requirement for any professional but is difficult to
evaluate in a continent where many languages are spoken. It
must be emphasised that the Diploma is essentially a practical
and clinical qualification, not an academic or higher award
such as the Fellowship of the ESC. Hence long lists of publications
are not required. Nevertheless communication with colleagues,
patients, and other members of society is an essential and
important part of the work a cardiologist and in practice
most applicants have chosen to submit a short list of publications
in support of their application. If applicants choose to do
this they are reminded that no more than three should be cited.
Peer-reviewed works are not needed. Other evidence of an ability
to communicate is perfectly acceptable; recent examples include
a short paper or a letter to the EBSC, in its original form
and language, with a translation or translators corroboration
if necessary.
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Non-European
Applicants
Applicants are normally residents
of Europe. Applications from non-Europeans may be considered
if the major part of their training has taken place in Europe.
Furthermore, the two following conditions are mandatory; firstly
applicants must be registered as physicians in a European
country; secondly they must be recognised as cardiology specialists
in a European country and be supported by a National Society
of Cardiology in Europe.
Documents and
translations
The EBSC Board have decided
in 2004 that from Spring 2005 Diploma of European Cardiologist
election session onwards, all medical diplomas/certificates
must be provided in English, either as an official English
version issued by the relevant authority, or as official English
translations made by sworn translators, along with a copy
of the original documents.
This decision was taken for two (2) major
reasons:
- the official working language of the EBSC is English
- the EBSC is legally binded to open its archives to the European
Community for auditing at any time, therefore all documents
have to be accessible in English language.
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Apply now - log to EBSC on-line services
here
To apply, simply log to EBSC on-line services,
create your personal account. Then from your own secured personal
space, you can apply for the Diploma of European Cardiologist
using the on-line application form.
You may also refer to the Election
process page for a rough guide on the various stages of
the election.
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