How to Become a Pediatric Orthopedist in Europe?

Pediatric orthopedics is a surgical activity which needs knowledge, an education, and skills in both orthopedics-traumatology and pediatric surgery. In France, the residents may become pediatric orthopedist through a DESC (diplôme d’étude spécialisée complémentaire) either in orthopedic surgery and traumatology, or pediatric surgery. This double track is a French peculiarity, as elsewhere in Europe, pediatric orthopedists are trained primarily in orthopedics and traumatology. Analysis of training methods in various European countries and Switzerland shows a disparity starting at the access of the residency: some organize a national classification of the students as other prefer an introduction of the candidates to a local committee. At the end, being graduated may also differ from a simple local simple evaluation to complete written and oral tests combined with podium presentations during scientific conferences and / or publications. So far, the equivalence of diplomas is recognized within the European area. For that reason, some goals of the European Union of Medical Specialists (UEMS) are the improvement of the training reaching a high level in all countries, and the proposal of accepted exams by all. The national societies are working together within the European pediatric orthopedics society (EPOS). The main goal of the current work is creating a pediatric orthopedics in the future brainstorming, as this activity is not supported by any recognition as a speciality. Its uniqueness comes on one hand from its job which is obviously orthopedic and traumatology and on the other hand from the pediatric word. The two conditions should be joined for a high quality of care for treated children and adolescents.