“To disseminate education further, we are developing ways to take EHRA education direct to ESC Member Countries,” says EHRA Education Committee Chair, Professor Jan Steffel (University Hospital Zurich, Switzerland). “We have the live webinars and online recordings, the updated ESC e-Learning platform (ESCeL) and new Electrophysiology Key Reference Library, which are available from anywhere, but we are aware that some members may not be able to attend EHRA Educational Courses, one of our flagship activities.” Each year, several EHRA Educational Courses are held at different sites in Europe, which generally last 2–3 days. He continues, “We know that some members face difficulties with the cost of registration and travel. While grants are available, there may be some members who are still not able to attend. In addition, English language may be an issue for some, and we do not want this to limit learning.”
Last year, an initiative was launched whereby entire EHRA Educational Courses are offered to the EP National Cardiac Societies (EP NCS). “The aim is that whole courses, including all the slides, will be provided and delivered to EP NCS who translate it into their own language,” says Prof. Steffel. “The EP NCS won’t be left alone. Where possible, senior EHRA Members will be there to help with the course presentation.”
Prof. Steffel adds, “We are also expanding EHRA’s educational activities to other countries in different ways. We already have the 'EHRA in Russia’ initiative – Associate Professor Maxim Didenko has been instrumental in this collaborative course, which has been taking place very successfully for 4 years already. We are also planning educational activities outside of Europe, with countries in North Africa, the Middle East and Asia expressing an interest in partnering with EHRA.”
EHRA’s educational offerings evolve with the input and collaboration of its members and EP NCS
Professor Isabelle van Gelder (University Medical Center Groningen, Netherlands) is Chair of the NCS Committee and Chair of EHRA’s Membership Pillar. She explains, “We want EHRA Members everywhere to know that we are addressing their needs. Providing high-level education across Europe and beyond will also help to ensure that we are giving the best possible care to patients.”
Prof. van Gelder continues, “We are also taking EHRA to different countries by facilitating joint sessions at EP NCS annual congresses. Countries can apply to hold joint sessions where half of the presentations are given by EHRA representatives and half are given by local speakers, with a programme that is decided together. These joint sessions are proving very popular, with nine held across Europe in 2019. In the last couple of years, these have seen increasing involvement and further cooperation with Eastern European countries, such as Romania, Serbia and Ukraine – it is really heartening to see that we are increasing our visibility in ESC Member Countries outside of Western Europe.”
“Furthermore, our yearly EHRA Summit is also a forum for discussion with EP NCS Chairs on educational topics. EHRA also consults regularly with EP NCS through other means, such as online surveys on existing EHRA educational products and potential future activities.”
Learn more about EHRA’s educational activities, including ESCeL.
Our mission: To reduce the burden of cardiovascular disease.