Vascular training profiles across Europe

Abstract

Background: The European Vascular Surgeons in Training (EVST) were appointed by the European Society for Vascular Surgery to review the current status and developments regarding training and certification in vascular surgery (VS) across Europe.

Methods: An e-mail-based survey was distributed to EVST representatives in 33 countries. The questionnaire examined the current structure of vascular surgery training and certification (monospecialty, subspecialty, no specialty), as well as the evolving revisions of national curricula. Questionnaires were returned from 31 countries, two of which implement two training models.

Results: Vascular surgery (VS) as a monospecialty is the leading training model in 18 out of 31 countries, nine countries follow the subspecialty model, and six countries have no accredited vascular programs. The mean duration of dedicated VS training in monospecialty is significantly longer compared with subspecialty (3.8 vs. 2.9 years, p = .036) or no specialty models (3.8 vs. 1 years, p < .001). 83% of countries implementing an independent certification have recently updated their training curriculum; the respective rates for countries implementing a subspecialty or no specialty model are 56% and 17%. Among countries that offer VS certification, the endovascular logbook is mandatory in 78%, quality control of training centers or trainers is implemented in 62%, and training centers are reported as heterogeneous in 46%. The Working Time Directive is followed by vascular trainees in 10/24 EU countries.

Conclusions: The results of this survey represent the most updated detailed record of the European training profiles in VS and document the diversity of vascular training across Europe.

Keywords: Europe; Vascular center; Vascular education; Vascular surgery; Vascular training; Working Time Directive.