EBVS Meeting April 15 -16, 2011
Minutes relevant to ECVDI
The EBVS is looking at increasing its visibility. Each college is encouraged to inform better their diplomates about EBVS and to circulate the EBVS newsletters. The EBVS plans 2 newsletters/year for the next 2 years, and then 4/year.
Currently, the EBVS is recruiting to replace the leaving secretary (Sharon Green). The job description was presented and new CEO/administrator could be either a veterinarian or a non-veterinarian with familiarity with the topic. Many secretarial tasks are currently not performed optimally. The EBVS is considering an immediate increased fee to accommodate this needed secretarial support. This could be supported by the Colleges or by individual diplomates. EBVS will put a document on their website forum and an electronic voting will be established.
The EBVS has compiled “Proposed best practices for certification examinations” (see below). These guidelines provoked several comments from College representatives, especially regarding the publications requirements.
Some points of interest:
- it was argued to request 2 publications but only one publication as 1st author.
- a pass mark of 50-70% was based on an average over 5 years.
- the 8 year time limit for passing exam after completion of residency was confirmed.
- an external (to the Board and examination committee) observer should be present at the examination (or the exam must be recorded). Our plan to invite an external ACVR diplomate for the next examination is well aligned with the EBVS proposal.
- it was discussed that a job analysis survey should be performed a every 5-10 years to validate the examination content. Our Education committee just prepared such a survey.
The EBVS plans to establish an examiner training program in the future. These guidelines will be posted for about 6 weeks on the EBVS forum for input.
The importance of liability insurance was re-iterated by the EBVS.
Review of the ECVDI 5 year report (2006-2011) by M. Herrtage and Stephen May:
Our college was recommended for unconditional full recognition. The EBVS President favorably commented on our constructive efforts, especially in addressing the large animal component of our program, and on working with the college of internal medicine to establish valid add-on radiation therapy programs. Jimmy Saunders also mentioned the recent letter from the Anatomy group expressing official interest in looking into the option of joining our college. Several EBVS board members commented that the Anatomy would unlikely succeed in creating their own College, therefore the concept of joining force with our college seemed logical and possible.
After the review of other Colleges annual reports, Jimmy volunteered to review the next annual report for the Pharmacology college.
The EBVS had 2 invited guests: Collin Harvey ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) attendee for the ABVS and Megan Parker ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) attendee for the ACVSc (Australian College of Veterinary Scientists). These groups have engaged communication and reached out also to the AsBVC (Asian Board of Veterinary Specialists). The ultimate goal is the global recognition of veterinary specialists.
The topic of reciprocity versus recognition of veterinary specialist status was discussed. Reciprocity implying equivalent training, examination, re-evaluation, colleges may want to consider having the EBVS granting a status of recognized veterinary specialist under a well regulated licensing process, instead of granting a diplomate status. This issue is approached with a global mind by the EBVS-ABVS-ACVSc, and AsBVS.
My overall impression of this meeting was that the EBVS is willing to step up to increase its visibility and its credibility as an international entity approving and guiding European colleges and in providing the umbrella needed to get specialization recognize in Europe and to act as mediator when colleges are under scrutiny or attack.
EBVS is growing, but ironically is currently suffering from growing pains (insufficient administrative support); this has the potential to impair its growth and delay its objectives. The global approach of veterinary specialist is encouraging but far to be a done deal. Hearing reports of other colleges, I was re-insured that the ECVDI is maturing well.
Dominique Penninck,
ECVDI Senior President
