Background: The European Society for Neonatology (ESN) developed a curriculum for subspecialist training in Europe recommending standards for national neonatal training programmes. We speculate whether these official recommendations are widely accepted or used in practice. Objectives: To characterize the variation in national neonatal training programmes, to enhance transparency, and to compare them to the ESN Curriculum. Methods: We constructed a database based on the backbone of the ESN Curriculum: (1) training – knowledge, (2) training – skills, (3) key competencies, (4) personal development, and (5) recording of progress. National neonatal representatives from all 30 member states of the Union of European Medical Specialties (UEMS) provided data on national training programmes. Results: Although only one country (3%) based its neonatology training entirely on the ESN Curriculum, we found high levels of uniformity among the UEMS member countries regarding knowledge, skills, and key competencies needed to practice neonatology at a tertiary care level. Discrepancy was encountered on ethical and legal issues and on personal development of the trainees. Mentoring and professional evaluation was generally not implemented in the participating countries. Conclusions: There is an awareness and readiness to focus on educational demands for neonatal trainees. Further discussions about the overall educational goals of neonatal training and the essence of practicing neonatology in each country are needed. The ESN will undertake this process to provide an updated and effective syllabus aimed to harmonize care and outcomes for babies and their families across Europe.

Keywords:
Fellowship, Curriculum, Syllabus, Assessment framework, European Society for Neonatology, Union of European Medical Specialties, Neonatology, Subspecialist training, Postgraduate medical education
1.
ESN Curriculum and Syllabus for Training in Neonatology: http://esn.espr.info/syllabus/Pages/Content.aspx.
2.
ESN Assessment Framework for Specialist Trainees in Neonatology: http://esn.espr.info/Documents/EUROPEAN_BOARD_OF_PAEDIATRICS_assessment_framework_v1.pdf.
3.
ESN website for National training programmes: http://esn.espr.info/programs/Pages/TrainingCentres.aspx.
4.
Breindahl M, Blennow M, Lluch MT, Fauchere J-C, Picaud J-C, Greisen G: New database provides insight into European countries’ subspecialty training in neonatology. 52nd Annual Meeting of the European Society for Paediatric Research, Newcastle, UK, October 14–17, 2011. Abstract No. A-370-0000-00568.
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7.
Trevisanuto D, Doglioni N, Ferrarese P, Bortolus R, Zanardo V; Neonatal Resuscitation Study Group, Italian Society of Neonatology: Neonatal resuscitation of extremely low birthweight infants: a survey of practice in Italy. Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed 2006;91:F123–F124.
8.
ACGME Common Program Requirements, effective July 1, 2011: http://www.acgme.org/acWebsite/dutyHours/dh_dutyhoursCommonPR07012007.pdf.
9.
RACP Advanced Training in Neonatology, effective February 1, 2012: http://www.racp.edu.au/page/specialty/neonatal-perinatal-medicine.
© 2012 S. Karger AG, Basel
2012
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