Aims
The EAE’s mission is to improve the quality of echocardiography across Europe. Fundamental to this aim is encouraging the development of a skilled, accredited workforce. The EAE Accreditations in adult transthoracic, transesophageal and congenital heart disease echocardiography have been helping to fulfil this aim.
In extending accreditation the EAE wants to develop mutual recognition between national accreditation schemes and the EAE Accreditations. This would be a two way process that may need to develop in stages.
- EAE Accreditations require applicants to learn to echo.
- Applicants then have to pass an exam testing theoretical knowledge and the ability to report on images from echo studies.
- Finally they must submit a log book of reports of echos they have performed, a sample of which is graded by two external independent examiners.
Proposal
National accreditation process
Where a national accreditation process similarly involves evidence of practical experience that is externally examined (i.e. not only by the applicants supervisor or main training department) the EAE would exempt candidates holding this accreditation from the log book element of the EAE process. Qualifying practical components of the national accreditation would include the external assessment of a log book, the external assessment of sample cases including images or a practical exam where the candidates are observed undertaking echos by external assessors. Candidates would then be able to obtain EAE accreditation just by passing the EAE exam.
In order to maintain quality control of such an arrangement the EAE wishes to reserve the right to examine the candidates log book or cases submitted for their national accreditation or records of the observed echos in a practical exam.
European Accreditation Reciprocity
In the desire to seek true reciprocity between national and European accreditations the EAE would aim for candidates with EAE Accreditation to be exempted from the practical part of the national accreditation in the same way.
Requirements to claim for mutual recognition
Candidates with a national accreditation fulfilling the above would NOT need to submit a log book and would obtain EAE Accreditation by submitting an application and passing the exam.
Candidates from countries which are listed below may contact the EAE Accreditation office .
The accreditation office will ask them to send a copy of the individual accreditation diploma
EAE wishes to reserve the right to examine the candidates log book or cases submitted for their national accreditation or records of the observed echos in a practical exam.
Countries with reciprocity agreement with EAE:
How to establish mutual recognition agreement with EAE ?
We hope to develop reciprocity and exemption agreements during 2009.
If you would consider developing such an agreement please contact the EAE the Accreditation Committee Chairman, Dr Kevin Fox.
Shoul you need any further detail, please contact us here .