Abstract
There is an ocean between Europe and North America, but is there an ocean between the European College of Veterinary Pathologists (ECVP) and the American College of Veterinary Pathologists (ACVP)?
The ECVP is much younger than the ACVP; it was founded in 1995 and the first certifying examination was held with 8 candidates in 1999. The lack of a long common history explains some of the differences between the two colleges, but there are other differences.
An important difference is certainly language. Europeans do not have a common language. At a meeting of the European examination committee, we tested whether we would be able to communicate without a working knowledge of the English language, relying solely on members speaking more than one language. It worked; we never needed more than one or two interpreters: Swedish-German-French or English-German-Italian-Spanish. Fortunately, we could switch back to English and again communicate as a group. Nonetheless, most of the candidates attending the ECVP certifying examination speak English as a second or third language. This fact is taken into account during preparation and marking of the exam, which is given in English only.
Another difference became evident when the first exams were developed. There was no common opinion within Europe about the approach to certain types of questions. For instance, how far can we go in interpreting a gross pathology photo? Do we stop at describing the lesion, or can we go beyond this and provide the most likely morphological diagnosis? In the end, we agreed on the latter. Perhaps there were similar problems in North America, way back when the first ACVP qualifying exams were held; but as far as I can judge, nobody loses time discussing these things anymore. Also within the ECVP, concepts about how to approach pathology become more unified and comparable, but we are still in the process of harmonizing the different national or institutional views.
Since 1999, passing the certifying examination is the only way to become a member of the ECVP. The examination is comparable to the ACVP exam; however, it is not a one-to-one copy. The first day is dedicated to the histology and gross pathology sections, which are similar to the ACVP examination counterparts and which cover all species, organ systems, and types of lesions. The second day starts with general pathology, followed by veterinary pathology. Differing from the ACVP examination, these two sections are not composed of multiple-choice questions alone but also include short-answer questions. In the veterinary pathology section, there is, similar to the ACVP examination, a choice among various subsections. Basically, candidates have to pick three out of the following seven subsections: large animals, small animals, exotics, laboratory animals, toxicological pathology, poultry, and fish. Most candidates choose large and small animals and another section. In contrast to the ACVP exam, the ECVP exam has no clinical pathology section because, in Europe, clinical pathology resides more within the clinics and not so much in pathology. (This has led to the establishment of a separate college, the European College of Veterinary Clinical Pathology.) However, smaller sections, such as poultry and fish, have more weight in the ECVP exam. In addition, there is a fifth, uniquely European part to the examination: comprehensive pathology. This section is given on the third day and tests understanding and ability to interpret given data. It usually contains problems that veterinary pathologists working in different fields face: data analysis, interpretation of a toxicological pathology study, advice to a clinician, or second-opinion cases.
The ECVP certifying examination has been at the focus of abundant discussions, especially in the first 5 to 6 years of its existence. These most likely reflect cultural differences in the approach of teaching and learning as well as the assessment of knowledge and practical skills at a postgraduate level. By now, however, European and even global harmonization in these matters is becoming more and more apparent.
In contrast to the ACVP, the ECVP also has a large group of de facto members. The provision of such membership is based on a requirement from the European Community through the European Board of Veterinary Specialization. Because of that provision, veterinary pathologists fulfilling certain criteria were accepted as de facto members in the initial phase after the establishment of the ECVP (up to 1998). After this initial period, de facto membership can no longer be obtained. By now, however, ECVP members by examination already compose a third of the membership, and their number is increasing steadily.
Despite the apparent differences between the ECVP and the ACVP, both colleges are closely linked in several important aspects. This is reflected in the fact that both colleges, with the Japanese College of Veterinary Pathologists, have decided to make Veterinary Pathology their joint official journal. On a practical point, both colleges mutually accept the signature of a member, certified by examination from either college, as a sponsor for their examination. This fact demonstrates that both examinations are considered to be of comparable quality. This is a result of attendance at preparatory meetings and at examinations by senior officers or examination committee members from both colleges. Both colleges face similar challenges, such as maintaining the lofty position of veterinary pathology as a discipline and dealing with the effects of the present economic crisis, with consequences for the membership. Both colleges have comparable aims. Among others is the goal to further veterinary pathology, to maintain high standards, to strive for excellence, and to train veterinary pathologists in and for a changing world.
The ECVP and ACVP have features in common and at the same time are different, unique organizations. However, do the differences amount to an ocean? In my opinion, this is not the case. It is only a pond, one that allows for a different perspective from each side but one that can be crossed. And it should be crossed—often and in both directions!
Links
American College of Veterinary Pathologists, http://www.acvp.org/
European College of Veterinary Pathologists, http://www.ecvpath.org/