Introduction

In 2000, as part of the EFC’s mission to improve standards in colposcopy training, a baseline survey of colposcopy training in Europe. At that time, there were only four formal training programmes in Europe, two of which were full-time. Since then, the EFC membership has increased and it has convened two large scientific meetings, a core curriculum has been developed and ratified and the basic structure of colposcopy training programmes agreed. In order to review the current situation a repeat educational survey was undertaken in late 2004.

Results

All 25 member societies of the EFC were approached. There were 14 respondents from 12 countries. Seven countries now had a formal colposcopy training programme, all of which used the EFC core curriculum. With a single exception, all countries without a training programme had plans for one to be introduced.

Comment

Although this was a limited survey, there has been a marked increase in the number of countries with a training programme. As it is known that at least one of the non-responding societies has a training programme (Belgium), there are now at least 8 European countries with a training programme, six of which use the EFC core curriculum. Focus on those counties planning to introduce a national programme is probably a cost effective strategy.

Countries with a national Training Programme:
United Kingdom and Ireland, Serbia, Croatia, Germany, Holland, Slovenia, (Belgium), Spain

Countries with plans for a national Training Programme:
Austria, Finland, Portugal

Country with no plans for a national Training Programme:
France

Charles Redman
EFC Training Committee