The main work of the committee continues to be the development of curricula for minimum ultrasound training standards. It is hoped to have final drafts of curricula for ultrasound training in the fields of obstetrics, gynaecology, gastroenterology, urology, vascular and breast imaging ready by the end of January 2005. These will then be circulated more widely for further comment and amendment. Each curriculum will have a competency assessment sheet attached which a 'trainee' will have to have signed off before they are deemed to be competent. An assessment of competence can only be a statement of competence at that moment in time and it will always be up to the individual to maintain those skills at an acceptable level by ensuring that they regularly carry out ultrasound scans and that their practice encompasses enough pathology to ensure that they continue to recognise common and less common abnormalities. Not everyone will wish to practice ultrasound in all areas covered by a particular curriculum. The competency assessment sheets will define those areas in which an individual is considered to be adequately trained to practice independently and those areas in which they should either not practice or only practice under supervision.
Further work of the committee has included working with other authors to produce papers and guidelines for publication in future editions of the EFSUMB newsletter. These include 'Guidelines for Ultrasound Guided Breast Biopsy', 'Guidelines and Indications for Ultrasound Guided Chest Interventions' as well as a commentary from a paediatric perspective on the previously published 'Complications of Interventional Ultrasound'.
Other issues considered have been the attempts to obtain formal endorsement of the EFSUMB 'Minimum Training Standards' from specialist societies. Attempts to pursue this through the European Union of Medical Specialties (UEMS) had so far not been successful but this continues to be pursued.
The UEMS website indicates that it is possible to register meetings to try and standardise the number of 'continued medical education' (CME) or 'continued professional development' (CPD) points that they attract and meetings organisers are encouraged to try and do this so that attendees at meetings across Europe are able to produce evidence of their continued professional development.
David RM Lindsell
Education and Professional Standards Committee Secretary
