Public health medicine training in the European community : is there scope for harmonization?

Harmonization of training in public health medicine has received little attention in the European Community compared with clinical specialties. Although most countries have a formal training programme, programmes recognized at a European level exist only in France, Ireland and the United Kingdom. This paper describes the basis of mutual recognition at the European Community level and the programmes in each country. Although there are some important differences including duration of training, there are many similarities. Several existing programmes meet European Community standards or would do so with a little modification. If harmonization is to occur it is necessary for public health bodies to make representations to their appropriate national bodies, and for public health to develop a much closer relationship with the relevant specialist committees of the European Commission