European Curriculum for Emergency Medicine

The essential features of a clinical specialty include a unique field of action, a defined body of knowledge and a rigorous training programme. Emergency Medicine has a unique field of action, both within the Emergency department and in the community. The European Society for Emergency Medicine (EuSEM) first published a European Core Curriculum for Emergency Medicine in 2002. The present paper presents the new and expanded version of the Curriculum. The document was developed by a Curriculum Task Force of EuSEM (which included representatives of 17 National Societies), has been reviewed by the Multidisciplinary Joint Committee of the Union Europeenne des Medecins Specialistes (MJC-UEMS), and finally approved by EuSEM on May 2009. This curriculum document not only incorporates the relevant body of knowledge and associated competencies but also establishes the essential principles for a rigorous training programme and should constitute a guideline for the development and organisation of recognised training programmes of comparable standard across Europe. The recommended minimum period of training for the specialists in Emergency Medicine is five years even though it is now accepted that the duration of a training programme should be determined more by the length of time needed to acquire the necessary competencies. European countries are encouraged to adopt this curriculum and to train Emergency Physicians to a European standard which will enable them to transfer their skills across national borders. [Emergencias 2009;21:456-470