Abstract
The European Section and Board of Gastroenterology and Hepatology (ESBGH) is one of the Specialist Sections of UEMS (The European Union of Medical Specialists), which was founded in 1958 and represents >1.6 million Medical Specialists, working in 37 countries.
Two delegates from each UEMS member country are selected as National Delegates. The Section & Board meet twice a year.
The routine business of the Section and Board of Gastroenterology & Hepatology is carried out by an Executive Committee.
Functions of the ESBGH
Define, assess and secure the standards of education and training in Gastroenterology and Hepatology. Evaluate the quality of International Gastroenterology and Hepatology CME/CPD in conjunction with EACCME. Promote exchange of trainee gastroenterologists and hepatologists. Collect and analyse workforce demographics in Gastroenterology and Hepatology.
Two delegates from each UEMS member country are selected as National Delegates to provide a balance between professional defenders and academics. The Section & Board meet twice a year.
Curriculum – The Blue Book 2016–2017
The newly revised curriculum, with UEG, EASL and the EJD represented on the writing group, is available at http://www.eubogh.org/blue-book.
Examination
The ESBGH knowledge-based multiple choice examination has been running since 2014 and the fourth examination will take place on 27 April 2017 (applications open 29 December 2016). For further details see http://www.eubogh.org/exam.
ESBGH subcommittees
The CME Committee assesses the educational content of gastroenterology meetings throughout Europe and further afield for the award of CME credits in conjunction with EACCME. The CME Committee evaluates around 50–75 Live Learning events and 5–10 E-Learning applications each year. The CME Committee takes part in UEMS/EACCME consultations and meetings and is actively implementing the EACCME 2.0 guidelines on assessing CME applications (https://www.uems.eu/uems-activities/accreditation/eaccme).
The TRC assesses applicants for the award of the Diploma/Fellowship of the European Section and Board of Gastroenterology & Hepatology. The TRC also inspects Gastroenterology Training Centres throughout Europe and recognises Centres of sufficient standard as a recognised ‘Training Centre of the European Board of Gastroenterology & Hepatology’.
To date, the ESBGH has awarded 1477 Fellowships and approved 73 Training Centres.
The Manpower& Public Affairs Committee of the ESBGH is responsible for collating and acting on Workforce issues across Europe. Surveys are regularly conducted via National ESBGH delegates, providing detailed information which is used in planning services and ensuring adequate numbers of trainees.
The Examinations Committee is responsible for maintaining the Academic standards of the ESBGH examination by taking part in Question Writing and Standard Setting.
The ESBGH Exam is a fully validated assessment of knowledge of gastroenterology and hepatology as laid down in The Blue Book.
Eligibility requirements: There are no restrictions to entry for the ESBGH exam. There is no limit to the number of attempts that can be made. For doctors in formal Gastroenterology and Hepatology training programmes, success is more likely if the exam is taken after the first year.
The remit of the ESBGH exam: Success in this exam is a demonstration of having achieved the knowledge necessary to fulfil the requirements of the ESBGH curriculum, which is a Europe-wide description of the level expected of a specialist Gastroenterologist and Hepatologist.
The first exam was held on 23 April 2014. Fifty candidates sat in test centres. A post-exam survey had positive evaluations on the content of the exam and about the administration of the exam, the quality of the test centres, etc. The number of candidates doubled in 2015 and 2016. The European ESBGH Exam is now mandatory in Switzerland and the Netherlands. The Examination will be translated into Polish in 2017.
The ESBGH maintains contact with stakeholders through our
ESBGH–UEG activities
Common Interest Group 2014–2015
Hot spot – ‘The Future of GI Education’ 2016
Collaboration on targeted provision of Training and Education.
ESBGH booth at UEG meetings.
ESBGH Executive Committee