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Launch of the European Orthopaedics & Traumatology Education Platform
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E.O.T.E.P, these five letters will make your life easier in furthering your education.
E. European
O. Orthopaedic
T. Traumatology
E. Education
P. Platform
The European Orthopaedics & Traumatology Education Platform is the new tool EFORT has developed as the comprehensive approach for those in search of an educational overview in orthopaedics and traumatology (O&T) and wishing to advance in their professional development.
With a click of a button, information is generated per type of event, specialty and subspecialty; and perhaps even more importantly by “course constellation,” including frame of partnerships and involved parties, certainly firming the scientific level of the selected events. There was a risk of creating another list of many existing events. EFORT went the extra mile by including the situational dimension of becoming surgeons, making it easy for them to mirror where they possibly stand in their respective curriculum; and moreover, to suggest what can still be accomplished.
The European Orthopaedics & Traumatology Education Platform (EOTEP) guides one toward the EBOT exam, which leads one to address their current knowledge and skills. In addition to the cross-border part running every year in English, the oral part was run in Spanish for the first-time last year.
Access the chart and you will see that for each level, be it general education or specialization, each area is linked to relevant content. Discover the “ins” and “outs” of the journey to the final EOTEP chart by reading the interview conducted with Prof. Dr. Klaus-Peter Günther, chairman of the EFORT Education Committee.
What is the background behind the creation of the new EOTEP concept?
Günther: There are several reasons for developing the concept. One is there are substantially different approaches throughout Europe regarding education in O&T, especially regarding the content of educational programs and types of courses; not to talk about the complexity within each and only medical specialty and notably in orthopaedics and traumatology.
In recognizing this problem, the European Curriculum of Orthopaedics and Traumatology was developed by a group within EFORT with input from the national societies to provide a framework setting forth minimal requirements and to serve as a guide in education in orthopaedics and traumatology.
Is it a first attempt to harmonize education?
Günther: I would say, yes, and a first attempt to streamline the different orthopaedic and traumatology programs in Europe. As mentioned earlier, the offer in educational programs in Europe is wide and not necessarily structured in an overviewed scheme. Events organized by institutions, national and specialty societies, commercial and non-commercial organizations are often listed only on their respective platforms and nothing can put them together in an integrative learning context.
We believed that a good approach would be to offer a platform whereby different and already existing programs from Europe would be compiled into one place, in a structured view, especially for those interested in looking for an overview of educational programs. This is finally the whole idea behind the platform concept.
Identifying a unified assessment system is part of our focus. The EBOT Exam with its interim exam is another good example. Each listed educational program has been included because an alignment with the exam can be made by striving toward harmonization of assessment mechanisms.
Would it be true to say that this EOTEP has ambitions to pave the way to an EFORT Education path or is that too premature?
Günther: Basically, this is absolutely correct. This is part of the objectives and aims which the Education Committee is pursuing through this concept.
Who do you want to reach?
Günther: We wish to address several stakeholders; physicians, national and specialty societies, health politicians and industry.
Within the physician category, we wish to address a large part for trainees in orthopaedics and traumatology, given that most of the content of the platform is concentrated in general education. But of course, with the growing use of the platform, it will increasingly address orthopaedics and traumatology surgeons which should be the second largest target group within the physicians.
It was important for EFORT to let transpire the partnership vision with national and specialty societies and to give both, societies having their own structures and those who will see the EOTEP as a source of inspiration to structure educational endeavors, as an opportunity to join the dynamism of the exchange in the field of cross-border lifelong learning.
EU Health politicians are part of organizations responsible to shape medical education. They try to establish standards in orthopaedics and traumatology through the accreditation of programs. The European Orthopaedics & Traumatology Education Platform should be the tangible demonstration that harmonization within education is on its way, but will request more funding.
The last group we mentioned is industry. Currently, industry organizes many of their own courses, with good reason, toward the effective use of their implant products.
However, the EOTEP tackles the educational need differently and covers the full array within O&T through a more neutral approach. We believe that this unbiased perspective preparing the becoming surgeons is of vetted interest for those companies aware of differentiated use of prosthesis and innovation. In the quest of these different levels of education, we wish to convince industry to grant more funding for these programs and support safe use for implant technology, for example.
Let us not forget that surgical technical aspects within the musculoskeletal field also need to cover basic science and conservative treatment fostering a general approach able to support a safe application of medical treatment. This requires the industry to support activities in a broader sense.
Would you want to make a ratio between trainees and specialization? What is the ratio?
Günther: I cannot tell you currently. When looking at the platform, it is still a work in progress and is not complete. It is filled with first examples and offers and it will continue to develop. The contributors of EFORT, national and specialty societies, as well as third-party organizers, are encouraged to upload their programs onto one platform.
Time will tell which audience is attracted by which offerings and whether a beginner specializing as a surgeon is the primary group. There are many aspects influenced by which content is offered, who is actively participating in the different fields and the way information is brought to the end-user. This should define whom we are addressing, more to young people or senior surgeons. At this moment, I could not say who it is for as we must see how it develops.
How can we incentivize people to upload from the platform?
Günther: Firstly, we have to promote this unique and comprehensive overview of education and how easy it is to navigate through the different categories of training. Secondly, and to start with, it applies especially to residents, as long as the EBOT exam seizes the opportunity to be aligned with the different educational models on the platform.
Further, it is also the ambition to develop a subspecialization of programs, which should be attractive to more established orthopaedic surgeons who are looking for a final certification mechanism.
Regarding user friendlessness, are there any patterns you are working on together with the group that you would wish to outline?
Günther: Not in detail. If you click through the platform, you immediately see what is an offer in any special area. You can click and immediately be transferred to the area of education you are looking for and by three clicks you get there. You are transferred to different courses, e-Learning and other specialized activities. It is a quick and easy-to-access comprehensive platform.
Is there anything else you would like to emphasize or provide as a take-home message?
Günther: The platform at the moment is restricted as it is still a work in progress. It is aiming to become the best available overview of offers of education in musculoskeletal training in Europe. It is easy to access and use, and I am personally convinced that this system can be of great help in translating the content of the European Curriculum of Orthopaedics and Traumatology into practice. E.O.T.E.P is the terminology to remember.
- For more information:
- Access the European Orthopaedics & Traumatology Education Platform.
- Read the European Curriculum in Orthopaedics and Trauma.