The European Society of Cardiology organises a number of internationally recognisedcongresses, the flagship of which is the ESC Congress, the largest medical meeting in
Europe. Scientific congresses are an important means of education and exchange for
cardiology professionals. The sub-specialty congresses are organised in conjunction with
the relevant ESC Associations, Working Groups or Councils.
One of the key activities of the ESC is to develop and disseminate
Clinical Practice Guidelines for European practitioners, taking into account practice differences on a European scale, to enhance the appropriateness of practice, improve the quality of cardiovascular disease care, lead to better patient outcomes, improve cost-effectiveness and identify required areas of research.
They play an increasingly important role in the education of trainees and in the continuing medical education of practicing cardiologists.
The
ESC Clinical Practice Guidelines are written by top European experts in their field and follow strict writing and reviewing procedures. Once they are published in the major European journals of cardiology, they are made available on the ESC Web Site and through different formats such as Pocket Guidelines, PDAs, Compendiums, Slide-sets and CD-ROMs.
The implementation and wide-spread use of ESC Clinical Practice Guidelines is a key priority for the society. The ESC therefore regularly holds scientific sessions during the major congresses of cardiology and implementation meetings for new Guidelines. It also encourages its National Societies to endorse, translate and publish them in their own countries for national dissemination.
The ESC guide on
"Educational products, publications and events” provides a comprehensive overview of the different resources and activities available for ongoing medical education in cardiology. It includes dates and details of the different educational courses and meetings. The guide also contains information on the latest educational products, tools and resources, on journals, and on the Euro Heart Survey.
These same resources are also listed by core syllabus topics which is useful if you have a specific area of interest. This guide is produced every year. Equally, you can find this information on the ESC Web Site.
The continuous medical education of cardiologists is a key priority to the European Society of Cardiology. Besides the congresses, the ESC offers a range of educational resources and activities all year round, such as:
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Educational Courses run in collaboration with National Societies, Working Groups and Associations. Courses follow a practical and interactive ‘how to’ style and are submitted for accreditation through EBAC.
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Congress Highlights CD-ROM, based on the ESC Congress scientific programme which contains a selection of essential presentations from the Congress with audio.
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Focus Sessions DVDs: selected sessions from the interactive case presentations from the ESC Congress ‘Focus Sessions’ made available on DVD.
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Webcasts and Webinars: presentations broadcast online allowing the website visitor to view and hear presentations from ESC meetings.
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Congress Reports: written by some of the finest cardiologists from across Europe and the world, acting as reporters for the “congress reports” project at every ESC Congress, covering some of the most important symposia including the Hot Line & Clinical Update trials.
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E-Library, containing slide presentations, webinars, webcasts, congress reports, news, videos of ESC Congress topics and curriculum that can be viewed and /or downloaded online. This educational resource has been made available through the generosity of those who have contributed their work...
The ESC conducts the Euro Heart Survey programme, performing systematic cardiovascular surveys across Europe to contribute to improved cardiovascular patient care. A number of surveys are completed and published, and the data is available for viewing/downloading online as well as resulting in more than 40 publications describing current clinical practice in Europe. Surveys are scheduled or ongoing (including two permanent Registries) and for those wishing to participate.
Europe needs reliable data on cardiovascular (CV) disease and the ESC is the body which should provide such data. Surveys and Registries (S/R) are essential to assess CV epidemiology, diagnostic/therapeutic processes and adherence to Guidelines.
In 2009 the EurObservational Research Programme (EORP) was launched. The aim of this new programme, of Surveys & Registries, is to provide a better understanding of medical practice based on observational data collected with more robust methodological procedures
Europe
The European Society of Cardiology is a European organisation, as stated in its mission. The ESC definition of Europe includes all countries on the continent as well as nations around the Mediterranean. The Society, in representation of its communities, has an active programme to influence European cardiovascular policies and works together with EU institutions, such as the European Parliament, to promote concrete actions and initiatives like the European Heart Health Charter.
The ESC has developed a range of grants to allow young professionals in the field of cardiology access to quality training or research activities throughout Europe. Some grants concern specific topics of cardiology and eligibility criteria may differ between them. The number of grants has significantly increased in recent years with contributions from the Associations, Working Groups and Councils of the ESC.
The ESC is an independent opinion-leading body with an extensive network of seniorspokespersons in a position to speak to the media on cardiovascular advances and news.
The ESC issues numerous press releases throughout the year, organises press conferences on key topics and has major press activities during the annual ESC Congress, where over 600 reporters who spread ESC news throughout the world are welcomed.
ESC press releases reach audiences of over five million people worldwide, helping create
awareness of cardiovascular issues among the general public and informing professionals
of the latest advances in the cardiovascular field.
The ESC edits and publishes seven of the world’s leading journals on cardiology which provide cardiologists across the globe with vital scientific and practice information. They represent one of the top scientific activities of the ESC.
They are: European Heart Journal, Cardiovascular Research, Europace, European Journal of Heart Failure, European Heart Journal - Cardiovascular Imaging, European Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing, European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, European Heart Journal - Acute Cardiovascular Care and one ESC endorsed journal, EuroIntervention.
Details on how to subscribe and submit content to each of the seven official ESC journals are posted on the ESC Web Site.
Anyone belonging to one of the following communities is a Member of the European Society of Cardiology:
- One of the 54 National Societies
- One of the 19 Working Groups
- One of the 5 Associations
- One of the 5 Councils
- The ESC Fellowship Community (Fellow, FESC; Nurse Fellow, NFESC)
- ESC Cardiologists of Tomorrow for those 35 or younger
The ESC coordinates programmes and publications specifically aimed at cardiovascular disease risk prevention. Our website provides information on existing networks for concerted actions, gives access to a Prevention Calendar, and offers a range of Prevention Tools referred to as the “ESC prevention toolkit”.
General Practitioners are welcome to either contact the Council for primary care or the EACPR to find out what the ESC can offer them.
For a copy of the A to Z - European Society of Cardiology - The definitive guide to the ESC corporate brochure capturing letter by letter all you need to know about the ESC, contact the ESC Press Office.
For specific queries about the ESC, its congress and scientific activities, contact the ESC Press Office