Report on the First European Board Examination in Neurology

The Union Européenne des Médecins Specialistes (UEMS), refer to (www.uems.net), is an organisation, located in Brussels, Belgium, concerned with the assurance of quality in training and education of candidates in various medical specialities throughout Europe. The organisation is structured into boards for specialist areas, and the European Board of Neurology (EBN) is integrated within this association. In order to adhere to these strict requirements, the first examination of the UEMS/European Board of Neurology was conducted during the 19^th ENS Meeting in Milan, Italy, June 20-24, 2009. Purpose of this examination is to set standards in knowledge and skills of neurologists, as wells as high levels pertaining to quality and content of education. A key aspect of the test is also the harmonisation of medical training within Europe; a process of standardisation which should be considered as a sign of excellence for young neurologists. Although there are no obligations, and no legal implications, for this examination, it can nevertheless be considered as a mirror of that which is to be achieved in a future goal encompassing all medical excellence examinations in Europe. This also includes analysis of progress in evaluations of medical education as it develops, and the resulting recommendations for the assessment of programmes to accomplish this task.

Professor Wolfgang Grisold, Vienna, who is the President of the UEMS/EBN Examination in Neurology, presented the six successful examinees their diplomas as Fellow of the European Board of Neurology. The ceremony took place prior to the Scientific Symposium of the 19^th ENS in Milan, Italy, on June, 22, 2009. Readers interested in more information as to this examination may contact Prof. Grisold at: (Wolfgang.grisold@wienkav.at).

Below is the speech given by Prof. Grisold prior to his delivering of the diplomas.

Dear President,
Dear Colleagues!

It is my pleasure to present to you the candidates who have successfully passed the first European Board Examination in Neurology.

Joao Cerqueira (Portugal)
Daniel Kondziella (Sweden)
Ulf Sören Raasch (United Kingdom)
Sitthided Reymond (Switzerland)
Irene Villegas Martínez (Spain)
Sandra Weiss (Germany)

They are now entitled to bear the title Fellow of the European Board of Neurology, and their names can be found on the UEMS/EBN website (www.uems-neuroboard.org).

This examination was organised by the UEMS European Board of Neurology in collaboration with the ENS and the EFNS.

The UEMS is the European mono-specialist association, and represents specialist in regard to their speciality (boards), and at the national level. Several European specialities have established board examinations successfully, and in some countries the national examinations have been replaced, in part or as a whole, with the European board examination.

The examination in neurology consists of 3 parts: 1.)  the national approval of training; 2.)  a written MCQ test, and; 3.)  an oral structured case discussion. Additionally, the candidates have the opportunity to present themselves by a case report, or their scientific work. The questions and cases were developed jointly with the EFNS Scientist Panels and the ENS Subcommittees, and without their support this project would not have been possible. Questions were assessed for content by the examination committee and for quality by the Department of Medical Education of the Ege University, Izmir – Turkey. Most of the work was done on a voluntary basis, and I want to thank all contributors to this task. The financial part of development was covered by UEMS/EBN and also financial contributions were received from ENS and EFNS. We also want to thank the ENS for providing the venue for the examination. The next examination will take place in conjunction with the EFNS congress in Geneva in 2010. News and application forms can be found on the UEMS/ EBN website: (www.uems-neuroboard.org). Professor Wolfgang Grisold, Vienna

Prof. Wolfgang Grisold (right), President of the UEMS/EBN Examination in Neurology, presents the diploma Fellow of the European Board of Neurology to Dr. Daniel Kondziella (centre). Prof. Gustave Moonen (left), Past-President of the ENS, accompanies this ceremony.