EUREPA Certification in Epileptology for Medical Doctors

1. Curriculum

1.1 Criteria to enter a training programme
The trainee must have
  • 3 years of training in neurology, neuropediatrics, clinical neurophysiology, psychiatry or neurosurgery or combinations of these
  • a minimum of 4 months of EEG training

1.2 Training programme

1.2.1 Core curriculum (full time training)

-  Clinical epileptology    6 months
-  Epileptological EEG, including video    2 months
-  Clinical AED pharmacology    2 months
-  Neuroimaging    2 months
  Total   12 months

This core curriculum may be accomplished in one or several acknowledged training institutions.


1.2.2 Electives

Electives are training fields none of which is mandatory for certification. They can be chosen according to the trainee's particular carreer or interests. However, training in at least three elective fields is required but more than three may be chosen. To ensure a broad-spectrum education and avoid the possibility of a heavily biased elective training, minima and maxima are defined for education in an elective that can be recognised as part of the curriculum.

There are two possibilities of training in electives:
  • Full-time training in an acknowledged training institution for a minimum of 1 month. Up to 2 months of such training can be included as an elective in the curriculum
  • Participation in educational courses which give Eurepa credit points (CPs). As soon as the credit point system is in place, a number of x CPs equalling 2 months full-time training will be defined (proposed: 130 CPs). This is the maximum number in one elective field which will be accepted as part of the curriculum. Each elective taken in the form of educational courses must comprise at least one course whose CPs equal one month of full-time training.
To fulfil the elective requirements, 390 CPs or training time equivalents must be reached. Any combinations of full-time training and CPs from courses are acceptable as long as at least three electives with a minimum of 1 month training (or 65 CPs), and a maximum of 2 months training (or 130 CPs) are included.

If the entire curriculum is fulfilled in full-time training at training facilities, the total curricu-lum lasts, thus, 18 months.

The electives include:
  • Neonatal epileptology
  • Epilepsy surgery
  • Epileptological psychiatry
  • Psychotherapy / Behavioural therapy in epilepsy
  • Epileptological neuropsychology
  • Comprehensive care for epilepsy
  • Rehabilitation in epilepsy
  • Genetics of epilepsy
  • Epidemiology of epilepsy
  • Experimental epileptology
  • Emergency services associated with epileptological service
To obtain European certification, not more than one elective should be taken at the same training facility as the core curriculum, and educational activities (i.e. full-time training or accredited courses) in at least three European countries must be included.


1.3 Examination

1.3.1 Written examination: Multiple choice questionnaire prepared by a commission based on a book officially approved by the supranational board.
The items are recommended to be sorted out on the same day of the examination.


1.3.2 Oral examination: Based on clinical material (case histories, EEG tracings, videotapes, images etc.) concerning:
  • clinical adult epilepsy
  • clinical pediatric epilepsy
  • clinical neurophysiology
  • therapeutics
To be admitted to the examination the candidate, besides having completed his/her training must have accumulated, in addition to the 390 CP (or full-time training equivalents) from electives, 110 CPs from educational courses in the fields which are part of the core curriculum, or gained by other activities (see CP list).


1.4 Recertification

Recertification will be based on continuing clinical proficiency and CPs.


1.5 Transitional rules

For a set time of transition, for seniors with a well-known experience in the field special criteria will be set to obtain a recognition without examination.
1.6 Selecting training institutions and programmes

Centres / institutions apply for accreditation to the Executive Board.

Criteria:
  • qualification of director and faculty
  • quality of care, teaching, and research
  • existence of essential components in a centre or in a group of centres with a common programme:
    • diagnostic services (electrophysiology, neuroimaging, neuropsychology)
    • therapeutic services (clinical pharmacology, neurosurgery, other consiliary medical services: emergency etc.)
    • consiliary services (rehabilitation, social services, occupational (ergo-)therapy, psychological and educational support)

2. Credit point system

2.1 Educational courses

Educational activities fully complying with EUREPA rules of accreditation, with >80 participants.
1 hour   1 CP
1/2 day   4 CPs
1 day   8 CPs


Activities with medium size participation (25-80)

With plenum only    Comprising small-group work
1 hour    1.5 CPs    1.5 CPs   
1/2 day   6   CPs   7  CPs  
1 day   12   CPs   14  CPs  
1 1/2 days   17   CPs   20  CPs  
2 days   21   CPs   25  CPs  
           
With plenum only   Comprising small-group work
2 1/2 days   25   CPs   30   CPs  
3 days   29   CPs   35   CPs  
4 days   37   CPs   45   CPs  
1 week   45   CPs   55   CPs  
           
Small group activities (<25 participants)
1 hour   1.5 CPs      
1/2 day   8   CPs      
1 day   16   CPs      
1 1/2 days   23   CPs      
2 days   29   CPs      
2 1/2 days   35   CPs      
3 days   41   CPs      
4 days   53   CPs      
1 week   65   CPs      

Maximum points obtainable in one elective = 130 CPs
1 month of fulltime training in facility = 65 CPs

Total CPs to be obtained in electives = 390


2.2. Other activities

2.2.1 Publications
     as first author    as co-author
in "international" journal   10   5
in "local" journal   5   2
in multi-authored book   5   2

("international" journal = indexed in Current Contents)

Book on epilepsy    as single author    60
    as co-author   40
    as single editor   40
    as co-editor   20
Other media (film, video, CD-ROM): like book

Bonus of 5 CP if book or media publication receives certification as EUREPA educational material.


2.2.2 Presentations at peer-reviewed meetings
(invited talks, submitted oral presentations; poster: 1st author)
   at International (ILAE/IBE) or Regional ILAE Congresses    5
  at national and other local ILAE congresses   3


2.2.3 Educational activities
Lecture for medical education
- for public education
      5    EUREPA-accredited    6
    5        
Educational activity for patients and relatives   5        


2.2.4 Organisational activities
Organizing an international epilepsy meeting    20
Organizing an accredited educational course of > 1 day   20
Organizing a national epilepsy meeting   10
Organizing an accredited educational course of up to 1 day   10
Organizing a local epilepsy meeting   5
Organizing a non-accredited educational course   5



   
2.2.5 WebSite Academy    
Contribution to discussion forum    
  for participation in discussion of one statement   2