Organization of Thoracic Surgery in Europe
Seance of wednesday 05 november 2025 (Progrès et Innovations en Chirurgie Thoracique)
DOI number : 10.26299/rbg9-ge06/emem.2025.45.06
Abstract
1. General Context
The medical landscape in Europe is complex, shaped by linguistic, cultural, and regulatory diversity. Each country retains responsibility for medical training and certification, making the harmonization of thoracic surgery curricula challenging.
2. European Institutional Framework
The Union Européenne des Médecins Spécialistes (UEMS), founded in 1958, brings together 34 countries and over 50 specialties. It issues non-binding recommendations, accredits continuing education (EACCME), and supports European Board examinations. The ECAMSQ aims to align national qualifications with European standards through competency-based curricula.
3. Thoracic Surgery Training
Average training lasts six years, with two to five years dedicated to thoracic surgery. Conditions vary across countries (program numbers, population ratios, surgical case volume). Trainees report general satisfaction despite disparities in theoretical teaching and workload.
4. Harmonization and Certification
The European Board of Thoracic Surgery (EBTS), accredited by UEMS since 2013, includes written and oral (OSCE) examinations. The HERMES project (2014) established a standardized European syllabus encompassing diseases, procedures, and essential skills.
5. Challenges and Perspectives
Key challenges include national regulatory diversity, funding of continuous professional development, and mutual recognition of qualifications. France should better integrate European standards (EBTS, Epithor) into its national training framework.
The medical landscape in Europe is complex, shaped by linguistic, cultural, and regulatory diversity. Each country retains responsibility for medical training and certification, making the harmonization of thoracic surgery curricula challenging.
2. European Institutional Framework
The Union Européenne des Médecins Spécialistes (UEMS), founded in 1958, brings together 34 countries and over 50 specialties. It issues non-binding recommendations, accredits continuing education (EACCME), and supports European Board examinations. The ECAMSQ aims to align national qualifications with European standards through competency-based curricula.
3. Thoracic Surgery Training
Average training lasts six years, with two to five years dedicated to thoracic surgery. Conditions vary across countries (program numbers, population ratios, surgical case volume). Trainees report general satisfaction despite disparities in theoretical teaching and workload.
4. Harmonization and Certification
The European Board of Thoracic Surgery (EBTS), accredited by UEMS since 2013, includes written and oral (OSCE) examinations. The HERMES project (2014) established a standardized European syllabus encompassing diseases, procedures, and essential skills.
5. Challenges and Perspectives
Key challenges include national regulatory diversity, funding of continuous professional development, and mutual recognition of qualifications. France should better integrate European standards (EBTS, Epithor) into its national training framework.