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Formation | 1958 |
---|---|
Type | NGO |
Region served | European Union |
Membership | National Medical Associations |
President | Prof. Vassilios Papalois (United Kingdom) |
Secretary General | Dr João Grenho (Portugal) |
Website | www |
The European Union of Medical Specialists (UEMS: Union Européenne des Médecins Spécialistes) is a professional organization of doctors representing medical specialists in the European Union, which was founded in 1958. It is the oldest medical organization in Europe, and represents about 1.6 million medical specialists. It promotes high levels of medical training and practice, to improve and guarantee the highest level of patient care.[1]
With a current membership from 41 countries,[2] it is the representative organization of the National Associations of Medical Specialists in the European Union and its associated countries.
More than fifty medical disciplines and competences[3] are represented within the organization. Among them, there are 43 Specialist Sections which represent full medical specialties recognized in all European countries. Together with European Scientific Societies, they created European Boards with the aim to define European standards of medical education of training, through the creation of European Training Requirements[4] and European Examinations.[5] Sections also contribute to the work of Multidisciplinary Joint Committees which address fields of multidisciplinary nature.
The European Union of Medical Specialists is responsible for accreditation of Continuing Medical Education through the EACCME.[6]
European accreditation through UEMS-EACCME[6] means that a CME activity, event, program or e-learning material has fulfilled the UEMS-EACCME quality requirements. Accreditation will only be provided if the CME activity or material has a high quality scientific content and an appropriate educational approach, and if it is a free of commercial bias.
EACCME credits are recognized by National Accreditation Authorities in Europe as well as in other non-EU countries.[7]
In addition to European countries, EACCME accreditation has agreements of mutual recognition with the United States[8] and Canada.[9]
The UEMS represents more than 50 medical disciplines through various bodies and structures.[3] The most important ones are the 43 Specialist Sections, which represent independently recognized specialties. They have created a European Board as a subgroup, in conjunction with the relevant European Society, with a view to defining European standards of medical education and training. They also contribute to the work of Multidisciplinary Joint Committees (MJC) which address fields of a multidisciplinary nature.