Journal_1_2014_final_WEB

EWMA
EWMA Participation in the first
UEMS meeting for European Scientific
Societies
Rytis Rimdeika,
MD, Ph.D.
Clinical Director for
Surgery, Head of Department
of Plastic and
Reconstructive Surgery
EWMA Council memeber
ewma@ewma.org
www.ewma.org
On March 1, 2014 the European Union
of Medical Specialists (UEMS) invited
EWMA to the first meeting for European
Scientific Societies. The objective was to
uncover areas and activities of mutual interest
between participating societies and the UEMS.
EWMA Council member Rytis Rimdeika represented
EWMA at the meeting. In this article, he
reports his reflections from the meeting.
European Reference Networks
From the perspective of the UEMS, the primary
objective of the meeting was to discuss a proposal
from the UEMS to establish a number of European
Reference Networks. The initiative was
presented by Dr. Andrzej Rys, Director, and Dr
Enrique Terol, Policy Officer and Directorate
General for Health and Consumers, of the European
Commission.
These networks should secure high-quality
treatment of rare diseases (defined as a prevalence
of ≤5/10,000) for all EU citizens. The establishment
of these networks is an initiative related to
the EU Directive 2011/24 on the application of
patients’ rights in cross-border healthcare. The
UEMS and the European Scientific Societies have
been requested to provide their input with respect
to this directive. Specifically, input was requested
on the identification of domains and groups of
diseases, ways to establish networks with a multidisciplinary
and multi-speciality approach, and
selection criteria for European Reference network
About the European Union of Medical Specialists
UEMS is the representative organisation of the National Associations
of Medical Specialists in Europe. The UEMS Council is working through
39 Specialist Sections and their European Boards. They address topics
related to continuing medical education and professional development,
the harmonisation of postgraduate training, and the organisation of
European examinations. Through this collaboration, the UEMS sets
the standards for high-quality healthcare practice and transmits
recommendations to the Authorities and Institutions of the EU and
the National Medical Associations.
centres. In addition to rare diseases, there is a focus
on complex and cost-intensive treatment that
requires a particular concentration of expertise.
The networks are also intended as focal points for
medical training and research, registries, information
dissemination, and evaluation. The directive
lists six basic criteria for defining reference centres,
as follows:
n Have knowledge and expertise in diagnostics,
follow up, and patient management
(documented via evidence and good
outcomes);
n Follow a multidisciplinary approach;
n Offer a high level of expertise and have the
capacity to produce good practice guidelines
and implement outcome measures and
quality control;
n Make a contribution to research;
n Organise teaching and training activities;
n Collaborate closely with centres of expertise
as well as national and international
networks.
Inclusion of wound specialists may be relevant to
some of these networks. EWMA will therefore follow
the continued work and propose involvement
wherever relevant.
Further EWMA perspectives on the
UEMS collaboration
Through this meeting, EWMA has initiated a
more formal contact with the UEMS. UEMS is
primarily composed of single-specialty sections
(e.g., surgery) and sub-speciality subdivisions
(e.g., surgical oncology). However, the organisation
also includes Multidisciplinary Joint Committees
and Thematic Federations that include
several specialities. A list of specialities and committees
can be found at the UEMS website:
www.uems.eu/about-us/medical-specialties. The
EWMA Council will discuss the opportunity to
suggest establishment of a multidisciplinary joint
committee on wounds within the UEMS organisation.
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EWMA Journal 2014 vol 14 no 1