European Journal of Neurology 2014, 21: 941–945
doi:10.1111/ene.12355
EDITORIAL
The European Association of Young Neurologists and Trainees in 2014: the dream of a united European neurology enters the limelight
Introduction
Activities and priorities in 2014
The European Association of Young Neurologists and Trainees (EAYNT) was founded in the year 2000 by enthusiastic junior colleagues realizing that their voice was not present and their interests insufficiently advocated within major European bodies. The association continues to be independent and remains unrivalled in lobbying for the interests of European junior neurologists [1]. We have established an excellent reputation for stringent work since the foundation [2]. Indeed, the success story and sturdiness of the organization may be traced back to its independence, from both pharmaceutical companies and bodies led by senior colleagues. On the other hand, the EAYNT has been able to attract highly motivated and dynamic officers over the years who pursued their non-profit work without compromise. The EAYNT office team for 2014 was elected at the General Assembly during the European Federation of Neurological Sciences (EFNS) World Federation of Neurology (WCN) congress 2013 in Vienna. Details of the officers who were elected are listed in Table 1. Additional support is provided by office members at large, who were assigned for specific tasks (Table 2). This article aims to highlight recent developments in the interests of European junior neurologists and standpoints of the EAYNT. Moreover, key events organized by the EAYNT in 2014 are described for the purpose of inviting junior colleagues to participate and get actively involved in future activities of the EAYNT. Regular updates and deadlines for applications can be found on the homepage of the organization (www.eaynt.org) and the Facebook blog (European Young Neurologists).
Educational opportunities
Spring School for Young Neurologists 2014 The EAYNT has been endorsing the traditional Spring School for Young Neurologists which has been organized by Professor Pavel Kalvach on behalf of the EFNS for many years. The 4-day course (8–11 May 2014) will again take place in Stare Splavy, Czech Republic. The main topics of the current course are movement disorders, neuroimaging and acute neurology in the intensive care unit. An afternoon is devoted to case presentations by the participants. A bursary is offered by the EFNS (deadline 31 January 2014) which includes registration, board and accommodation. A talk by an EAYNT officer covering relevant topics of interest to junior neurologists is planned on 11 May 2014. EFNS-ENS congress 2014 The first joint EFNS-European Neurological Society (ENS) congress is scheduled in Istanbul, Turkey, from 31 May to 3 June 2014. The congress organizers offer a remarkable number of up to 300 bursaries (registration, four nights of accommodation, three teaching courses) based on the scientific quality of the submitted abstract; the deadline is 8 January 2014. The EAYNT will again provide a meeting point and networking platform for young neurologists in terms of a booth at the industry exhibition. Hands-on information will be provided by office members and supporters, and complemented by a lottery (main prize: bursary) and photo contest. The highlight for certain will be the traditional EAYNT special session which will take place on 1 June 2014.
Table 1 The EAYNT Office 2014 Function
Name
Origin
E-mail
President Secretary Treasurer Past President
Orsolya Gy€ orfi Monica Moarcas Peter Balicza Antonella Macerollo
Targu Mures, Romania Brasov, Romania Budapest, Hungary Bari, Italy
[email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]
© 2014 The Author(s) European Journal of Neurology © 2014 EAN
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Table 2 EAYNT office members at large in 2014 Tasks
Name
Origin
E-mail
Observer to ENS EFNS Scientific Panels EFNS Liaison EFNS e-learning Danube Neurology EFNS Education IWGYNT OFTEN exchange programme UEMS-EBN Pula Neuropsychiatry
Johann Sellner
Salzburg, Austria
[email protected]
Laszlo K. Sztriha
London, UK
[email protected]
Vacant Walter Struhal
Vacant Linz, Austria
Vacant [email protected]
Antonella Macerollo Martin Rakusa
Bari, Italy Maribor, Slovenia
[email protected] [email protected]
The title of the EAYNT Special Session is ‘Controversies in neurological training – the do’s and do not’s’. Chairs: Orsolya Gy€ orfi and Monica Moarcas. The speakers and topics are as follows. • Professor Heinz Reichmann (Dresden, Germany): ‘Do’s and do not’s’ of researchers • Professor Jean-Marc Leger (Paris, France): ‘Do’s and do not’s’ of clinicians • Dr Laszlo K. Sztriha (London, UK, and Szeged, Hungary): ‘Do’s and do not’s’ of neurological training. Regional teaching courses (RTCs) of the EFNS in 2014 The EFNS renewed the invitation for an EAYNT officer to attend and lecture at their RTCs. The talks will cover issues relevant for junior neurologists. A focus will be on the results of recent EAYNT surveys, the development of the UEMS European Board of Neurology (EBN) examination and calls for fellowships/ bursaries. Details regarding the organizers and additional issues can be found on http://www.efns.org/ Regional-Teaching-Courses.264.0.html and www. eaynt.org ‘Schools and Courses’ section. The first RTC will take place from 18 to 20 June 2014 in Baku, Azerbaijan. The main topics include headache, stroke and dementia. The EAYNT delegate Peter Balicza will provide an overview of the future prospects for European young neurologists. His presentation will include the EAYNT’s major aims, the terms of membership and the educational opportunities within the EU. The second RTC is scheduled in Sofia, Bulgaria, from 2 to 5 October 2014. The topics are neurosonology, neurorehabilitation, the aging brain, stroke and dementia. The EAYNT representative will be Monica Moarcas. She will present an overview on the current activities within the EAYNT. She will also report on the European Board Examination and present the results of the EAYNT surveys and current training exchange options.
Annual meeting of the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) The Resident and Fellow Section of the American Academy of Neurology (CNRF) traditionally organize an international round table together with the International Working Group of Young Neurologists and Trainees (IWGYNT). The meeting will be hosted by Justin Jordan and David Mayans of the CNRF and will take place during the annual congress of the association in Philadelphia. The session is scheduled for 28 April 2014 from 10.30 to 11.00 am. Delegates for the EAYNT will be Johann Sellner and Walter Struhal, and Tissa Wijeratne (Melbourne, Australia) will attend on behalf of the IWGYNT. European Summer Schools The EAYNT recommends the attendance of one Europe-wide summer school per year. These include the ones organized by the European Section of the Movement Disorder Society (ES-MDS) and the European Stroke Initiative (EUSI). The attendance of these schools is highly coveted as usually only one delegate per country will be accepted. In addition, the EAYNT would like to raise attention for the Stroke Summer School from 18 to 21 June 2014 in Dubrovnik, Croatia. The school is organized by the Pula International Neuropsychiatric Organization which has a longstanding collaboration with the EAYNT and also offers junior neurologist bursaries. Readers interested in further summer school and workshop activities should keep track via the EAYNT homepage and the Facebook blog as there will be regular announcements of last minute bursaries and slots due to last minute cancellations. Scientific opportunities in 2014
EAYNT delegates to the EFNS scientific panels The nomination of an EAYNT delegate to each of the EFNS Scientific Panels can be regarded as one of the major success stories of the lobbying activities for the © 2014 The Author(s) European Journal of Neurology © 2014 EAN
Editorial
enhancement of career prospects of junior neurologists [3]. The list of current EAYNT delegates is shown in Table 3. The duration of the initial appointment is 2 years and can be renewed twice. The work is coordinated by Johann Sellner who is the EAYNT delegate to the Scientific Panel Assembly of the EFNS. Current activities in the responsibility of the delegates include the nomination of junior colleagues as abstract reviewers and poster chairs for the upcoming joint congress in Istanbul. In addition, EAYNT delegates or their proxy can participate in task forces aimed at the establishment of European guidelines and proposals for future European Academy of Neurology congresses. Interested colleagues are encouraged to get in touch with the EAYNT delegate in their field of interest. Surveys in the interest of junior neurologists The EAYNT has been conducting surveys regarding the concerns of junior neurologists for many years [4– 6]. The most recent ones included surveys on the current practice of e-learning in neurology education, the relevance of the European Board of Neurology examination, and motivations for relocation to and within Europe. Surveys currently in progress cover the expectations from a junior neurologist organization
943
and the ideas on the future of the discipline. The EAYNT is eager to continue with further surveys and is interested in ideas from its members. In addition, EAYNT office members would be glad to recruit junior colleagues to actively perform surveys at meetings of national junior neurologist organizations. Case reports and comments – an emerging experience for junior colleagues Junior colleagues are highly encouraged to prepare case reports in order to gain experience and walk the first step for the preparation of manuscripts under the supervision of a senior physician. Such opportunities are provided by Neuropenews, the official newsletter of the EFNS-ENS, and e-brain, the world’s largest education online resource in clinical neurology. Both are currently accepting submissions from junior colleagues. In addition, the top 10 (highly cited) papers section of Neuropenews is interested in junior colleagues who comment on one of these landmark papers. Social and cultural activities
One of the annual highlights of the EAYNT programme includes a hospital visit near the congress venue and the get-together event thereafter during
Table 3 EAYNT delegates to the EFNS scientific panels. Coordinator: Johann Sellner Panel
Name
Origin
E-mail
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis/ non-dementing neurodegeneration Autonomic nervous system disorders Brain recovery and rehabilitation Coma and chronic disorders of consciousness Critical Care Dementia and neurocognitive disorders Demyelinating diseases/multiple sclerosis Epilepsy Genetics and metabolic disorders Headache Infections Movement disorders Muscle disorders Neuroimaging Neuroimmunology
Xenia Kobeleva
Hannover, Germany
[email protected]
Walter Struhal Remy Phan-Ba Rayna Patel Daniel Kondziella Dorota Religa Johann Sellner Simona Amartei Karolina Dzie_zyc Till Sprenger Cecilia Rosca Antonella Macerollo Sabrina Sacconi Alexandar Karameshev Katharina Fink Domizia Vecchio Lucia Muntean Roman Schniepp Martin Rakusa Nataliya Yavorska Martin Rakusa Ross Paterson Maria Milenkova Samson Khachatryan Laszlo K. Sztriha Marco Spinazzi
Linz, Austria Liege, Belgium London, UK Copenhagen, Denmark Stockholm, Sweden Salzburg, Austria Copenhagen, Denmark Warsaw, Poland Basel, Switzerland Timisoara, Romania Bari, Italy Nice, France Sofia, Bulgaria Stockholm, Sweden Milan, Italy Bucharest, Romania Munich, Germany Maribor, Slovenia Lviv, Ukraine Maribor, Slovenia London, UK Sofia, Bulgaria Yerevan, Armenia London, UK Leuven, Belgium
[email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] katharina.fi[email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]
Neurooncology Neuroophthalmology/-otology Neuropathic pain Neuropathies Neurotraumatology Palliative care Public health Sleep disorders Stroke Substance abuse/neurotoxicology
© 2014 The Author(s) European Journal of Neurology © 2014 EAN
944
Editorial
Figure 1 World Congress 2013 in Vienna, Austria: young neurologists’ hospital visit.
European congresses [7,8]. A snapshot from the memorable hospital visit during the WCN 2013 in Vienna (Host: Congress President Professor Eduard Auff) is shown in Fig. 1. This year, we are happy to accept the invitation from congress president Professor Aksel Siva and the Turkish Neurological Society to host such an event during the EFNS-ENS Joint Congress in Istanbul, Turkey in May 31–June 3, 2014. Up to 90 participants will have the opportunity to get insights into the culture and practice of neurology in Turkey. This will be accomplished by a guided tour through the department, and short lectures on residency training and prospects in the country. Thereafter, the hosts have made preparations for a dinner including music and dancing for junior colleagues – don’t miss this zenith of the year! The hospital visit and the get-together event will take place on 1 June 2014. Announcements and deadlines for applications will be reported in Neuropenews and our web-based platforms from www.eaynt.org ‘Our Meetings’ section. The deadline for application is 30 April 2014. Space is limited be wise and quick. Harmonization of European neurology education and prospects
The EU enlargements in 2004 (Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia), 2007 (Bulgaria, Romania) and 2013 (Croatia) increased the economic diversity among the member states. In France, approximately 12% of medical doctors are from Romania, and the number of Romanians registered at the French Medical Association since 2007 rose from 174 to over 1000. This enhanced mobility of young doctors, mostly from
Eastern to Western Europe, has already shown an impact on the provision and quality of medical service. Moreover, the spectrum in the delivery of neurology services throughout Europe has further increased [9]. This is reflected in manpower levels, the place of neurology related to other medical specialties, and education and training [10]. In this regard, the EAYNT conducts regular surveys on the motives and interests of junior neurologists with regard to crossborder mobility in order to identify potential underlying mechanisms. The EAYNT is critically involved in processes devoted to the harmonization of neurology training and improvement of prospects for junior colleagues in their home countries [11]. This is on the one hand reflected by the support for the UEMS-EBN examination, which aims to establish a European standard in knowledge [4]. On the other hand, the EAYNT sees that it is a critical step to develop a European core curriculum for residency training in the harmonization process [12,13]. In addition, the EAYNT provides information on how to upgrade neurology training by pan-European exchange programmes, attendance of courses and congresses in Europe, and networking with fellow colleagues across borders in order to understand the cultural diversity of neurology in Europe. Of note, the EAYNT maintains an exchange programme with currently 126 participating institutions throughout Europe [14].
Conclusions Junior colleagues and medical students interested in clinical neurology should follow the emerging opportunities provided by the EAYNT. Their contribution and active involvement is critical in order to maintain a considerable voice in decisions on neurology at the European level. Don’t miss the chance to get involved!
Disclosure of conflicts of interest The authors are either current, elected or previous office members of the European Association of Neurologists and Trainees (EAYNT). Dr Gy€ orfi, Dr Moarcas, Dr Balicza, Dr Macerollo and Dr Sellner report no conflicts of interest.
O. Gy€orfia, M. Moarcasb, P. Baliczac, A. Macerollod,e and J. Sellnerf,g a
Department of Neurology, Mures County Emergency Hospital,
Targu Mures; bDepartment of Neurology, Brasov County Emergency Hospital, Brasov, Romania; cInstitute of Genomic Medicine and Rare Disorders, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary;
© 2014 The Author(s) European Journal of Neurology © 2014 EAN
Editorial
d
Department of Neuroscience and Sense Organs, Aldo Moro University of Bari, Bari, Italy; eSobell Department of Motor Neuroscience and Movement Disorders, National Hospital of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK;
f
Department of Neurology, Christian-
Doppler-Klinik, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria; and gDepartment of Neurology, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universit€ at M€ unchen, Munich, Germany
(e-mail: [email protected])
References 1. Struhal W, Falup-Pecurariu C, Sztriha L, Sellner J. The European Association of Young Neurologists and Trainees: advocating young neurologists in Europe. Eur J Neurol 2009; 16: e146–e148. 2. Struhal W, Sztriha LK, Rejdak K, Petzold A, Sellner J. International Issues: the EAYNT: ten years of unifying European junior neurologists. Neurology 2011; 76: e4–e6. 3. Sztriha LK, Struhal W, Varga ET, et al. Emerging scientific opportunities for junior neurologists in the European Federation of Neurological Societies. Eur J Neurol 2011; 18: e131–e133. 4. Struhal W, Rakusa M, Grisold W, Sellner J. The European Board of Neurology Examination – junior neurologists are eager to take the challenge. Eur J Neurol 2011; 18: e89–e92. 5. Struhal W, Sellner J, Lisnic V, Vecsei L, Muller E, Grisold W. Neurology residency training in Europe – the current situation. Eur J Neurol 2011; 18: e36–e40.
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6. Sztriha LK, Varga ET, Rona-Voros K, et al. E-learning preferences of European junior neurologists an EAYNT survey. Front Neurol 2011; 3: 167. 7. Varga ET, R ona-V€ or€ os K, Holler N, Sztriha LK, Sellner J. An exciting mix of education, science, and European culture: the activities of the EAYNT in 2011. Eur J Neurol 2011; 18: e127–e130. 8. Macerollo A, Varga ET, Gyorfi O, Kobeleva X, Paterson RW, Sellner J. The European Association of Young Neurologists and Trainees in 2013: striking a blow for European junior neurologists. Eur J Neurol 2013; 20: e54–e58. 9. Grisold W, Galvin R, Lisnic V, et al. One Europe, one neurologist? Eur J Neurol 2007; 14: 241–247. 10. Lisnic V, Grisold W, Muller E. Manpower of neurologists in the post-socialist countries of Central and Eastern Europe. Eur J Neurol 2008; 15: e94–e98. 11. Macerollo A, Struhal W, Sellner J. Harmonization of European neurology education: the junior doctor’s perspective. Neurology 2013; 81: 1626–1629. 12. Steck A, Struhal W, Sergay SM, Grisold W. The global perspective on neurology training: the World Federation of Neurology survey. J Neurol Sci 2013; 334: 30–47. 13. Struhal W, Mellgren SI, Grisold W. Three important steps to European neurology harmonization: core curriculum, visitation program, European board examination. Eur J Neurol 2013; 20: e101–e104. 14. Sellner J, Schirmer L, Erik Gilhus N, Grisold W, Struhal W. The Open Facilities for Training in European Neurology (OFTEN): an emerging pan-European exchange programme for junior neurologists. Eur J Neurol 2012; 19: e54–e55.
doi:10.1111/ene.12355
EDITORIAL
The European Association of Young Neurologists and Trainees in 2014: the dream of a united European neurology enters the limelight
Introduction
Activities and priorities in 2014
The European Association of Young Neurologists and Trainees (EAYNT) was founded in the year 2000 by enthusiastic junior colleagues realizing that their voice was not present and their interests insufficiently advocated within major European bodies. The association continues to be independent and remains unrivalled in lobbying for the interests of European junior neurologists [1]. We have established an excellent reputation for stringent work since the foundation [2]. Indeed, the success story and sturdiness of the organization may be traced back to its independence, from both pharmaceutical companies and bodies led by senior colleagues. On the other hand, the EAYNT has been able to attract highly motivated and dynamic officers over the years who pursued their non-profit work without compromise. The EAYNT office team for 2014 was elected at the General Assembly during the European Federation of Neurological Sciences (EFNS) World Federation of Neurology (WCN) congress 2013 in Vienna. Details of the officers who were elected are listed in Table 1. Additional support is provided by office members at large, who were assigned for specific tasks (Table 2). This article aims to highlight recent developments in the interests of European junior neurologists and standpoints of the EAYNT. Moreover, key events organized by the EAYNT in 2014 are described for the purpose of inviting junior colleagues to participate and get actively involved in future activities of the EAYNT. Regular updates and deadlines for applications can be found on the homepage of the organization (www.eaynt.org) and the Facebook blog (European Young Neurologists).
Educational opportunities
Spring School for Young Neurologists 2014 The EAYNT has been endorsing the traditional Spring School for Young Neurologists which has been organized by Professor Pavel Kalvach on behalf of the EFNS for many years. The 4-day course (8–11 May 2014) will again take place in Stare Splavy, Czech Republic. The main topics of the current course are movement disorders, neuroimaging and acute neurology in the intensive care unit. An afternoon is devoted to case presentations by the participants. A bursary is offered by the EFNS (deadline 31 January 2014) which includes registration, board and accommodation. A talk by an EAYNT officer covering relevant topics of interest to junior neurologists is planned on 11 May 2014. EFNS-ENS congress 2014 The first joint EFNS-European Neurological Society (ENS) congress is scheduled in Istanbul, Turkey, from 31 May to 3 June 2014. The congress organizers offer a remarkable number of up to 300 bursaries (registration, four nights of accommodation, three teaching courses) based on the scientific quality of the submitted abstract; the deadline is 8 January 2014. The EAYNT will again provide a meeting point and networking platform for young neurologists in terms of a booth at the industry exhibition. Hands-on information will be provided by office members and supporters, and complemented by a lottery (main prize: bursary) and photo contest. The highlight for certain will be the traditional EAYNT special session which will take place on 1 June 2014.
Table 1 The EAYNT Office 2014 Function
Name
Origin
President Secretary Treasurer Past President
Orsolya Gy€ orfi Monica Moarcas Peter Balicza Antonella Macerollo
Targu Mures, Romania Brasov, Romania Budapest, Hungary Bari, Italy
[email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]
© 2014 The Author(s) European Journal of Neurology © 2014 EAN
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Editorial
Table 2 EAYNT office members at large in 2014 Tasks
Name
Origin
Observer to ENS EFNS Scientific Panels EFNS Liaison EFNS e-learning Danube Neurology EFNS Education IWGYNT OFTEN exchange programme UEMS-EBN Pula Neuropsychiatry
Johann Sellner
Salzburg, Austria
[email protected]
Laszlo K. Sztriha
London, UK
[email protected]
Vacant Walter Struhal
Vacant Linz, Austria
Vacant [email protected]
Antonella Macerollo Martin Rakusa
Bari, Italy Maribor, Slovenia
[email protected] [email protected]
The title of the EAYNT Special Session is ‘Controversies in neurological training – the do’s and do not’s’. Chairs: Orsolya Gy€ orfi and Monica Moarcas. The speakers and topics are as follows. • Professor Heinz Reichmann (Dresden, Germany): ‘Do’s and do not’s’ of researchers • Professor Jean-Marc Leger (Paris, France): ‘Do’s and do not’s’ of clinicians • Dr Laszlo K. Sztriha (London, UK, and Szeged, Hungary): ‘Do’s and do not’s’ of neurological training. Regional teaching courses (RTCs) of the EFNS in 2014 The EFNS renewed the invitation for an EAYNT officer to attend and lecture at their RTCs. The talks will cover issues relevant for junior neurologists. A focus will be on the results of recent EAYNT surveys, the development of the UEMS European Board of Neurology (EBN) examination and calls for fellowships/ bursaries. Details regarding the organizers and additional issues can be found on http://www.efns.org/ Regional-Teaching-Courses.264.0.html and www. eaynt.org ‘Schools and Courses’ section. The first RTC will take place from 18 to 20 June 2014 in Baku, Azerbaijan. The main topics include headache, stroke and dementia. The EAYNT delegate Peter Balicza will provide an overview of the future prospects for European young neurologists. His presentation will include the EAYNT’s major aims, the terms of membership and the educational opportunities within the EU. The second RTC is scheduled in Sofia, Bulgaria, from 2 to 5 October 2014. The topics are neurosonology, neurorehabilitation, the aging brain, stroke and dementia. The EAYNT representative will be Monica Moarcas. She will present an overview on the current activities within the EAYNT. She will also report on the European Board Examination and present the results of the EAYNT surveys and current training exchange options.
Annual meeting of the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) The Resident and Fellow Section of the American Academy of Neurology (CNRF) traditionally organize an international round table together with the International Working Group of Young Neurologists and Trainees (IWGYNT). The meeting will be hosted by Justin Jordan and David Mayans of the CNRF and will take place during the annual congress of the association in Philadelphia. The session is scheduled for 28 April 2014 from 10.30 to 11.00 am. Delegates for the EAYNT will be Johann Sellner and Walter Struhal, and Tissa Wijeratne (Melbourne, Australia) will attend on behalf of the IWGYNT. European Summer Schools The EAYNT recommends the attendance of one Europe-wide summer school per year. These include the ones organized by the European Section of the Movement Disorder Society (ES-MDS) and the European Stroke Initiative (EUSI). The attendance of these schools is highly coveted as usually only one delegate per country will be accepted. In addition, the EAYNT would like to raise attention for the Stroke Summer School from 18 to 21 June 2014 in Dubrovnik, Croatia. The school is organized by the Pula International Neuropsychiatric Organization which has a longstanding collaboration with the EAYNT and also offers junior neurologist bursaries. Readers interested in further summer school and workshop activities should keep track via the EAYNT homepage and the Facebook blog as there will be regular announcements of last minute bursaries and slots due to last minute cancellations. Scientific opportunities in 2014
EAYNT delegates to the EFNS scientific panels The nomination of an EAYNT delegate to each of the EFNS Scientific Panels can be regarded as one of the major success stories of the lobbying activities for the © 2014 The Author(s) European Journal of Neurology © 2014 EAN
Editorial
enhancement of career prospects of junior neurologists [3]. The list of current EAYNT delegates is shown in Table 3. The duration of the initial appointment is 2 years and can be renewed twice. The work is coordinated by Johann Sellner who is the EAYNT delegate to the Scientific Panel Assembly of the EFNS. Current activities in the responsibility of the delegates include the nomination of junior colleagues as abstract reviewers and poster chairs for the upcoming joint congress in Istanbul. In addition, EAYNT delegates or their proxy can participate in task forces aimed at the establishment of European guidelines and proposals for future European Academy of Neurology congresses. Interested colleagues are encouraged to get in touch with the EAYNT delegate in their field of interest. Surveys in the interest of junior neurologists The EAYNT has been conducting surveys regarding the concerns of junior neurologists for many years [4– 6]. The most recent ones included surveys on the current practice of e-learning in neurology education, the relevance of the European Board of Neurology examination, and motivations for relocation to and within Europe. Surveys currently in progress cover the expectations from a junior neurologist organization
943
and the ideas on the future of the discipline. The EAYNT is eager to continue with further surveys and is interested in ideas from its members. In addition, EAYNT office members would be glad to recruit junior colleagues to actively perform surveys at meetings of national junior neurologist organizations. Case reports and comments – an emerging experience for junior colleagues Junior colleagues are highly encouraged to prepare case reports in order to gain experience and walk the first step for the preparation of manuscripts under the supervision of a senior physician. Such opportunities are provided by Neuropenews, the official newsletter of the EFNS-ENS, and e-brain, the world’s largest education online resource in clinical neurology. Both are currently accepting submissions from junior colleagues. In addition, the top 10 (highly cited) papers section of Neuropenews is interested in junior colleagues who comment on one of these landmark papers. Social and cultural activities
One of the annual highlights of the EAYNT programme includes a hospital visit near the congress venue and the get-together event thereafter during
Table 3 EAYNT delegates to the EFNS scientific panels. Coordinator: Johann Sellner Panel
Name
Origin
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis/ non-dementing neurodegeneration Autonomic nervous system disorders Brain recovery and rehabilitation Coma and chronic disorders of consciousness Critical Care Dementia and neurocognitive disorders Demyelinating diseases/multiple sclerosis Epilepsy Genetics and metabolic disorders Headache Infections Movement disorders Muscle disorders Neuroimaging Neuroimmunology
Xenia Kobeleva
Hannover, Germany
[email protected]
Walter Struhal Remy Phan-Ba Rayna Patel Daniel Kondziella Dorota Religa Johann Sellner Simona Amartei Karolina Dzie_zyc Till Sprenger Cecilia Rosca Antonella Macerollo Sabrina Sacconi Alexandar Karameshev Katharina Fink Domizia Vecchio Lucia Muntean Roman Schniepp Martin Rakusa Nataliya Yavorska Martin Rakusa Ross Paterson Maria Milenkova Samson Khachatryan Laszlo K. Sztriha Marco Spinazzi
Linz, Austria Liege, Belgium London, UK Copenhagen, Denmark Stockholm, Sweden Salzburg, Austria Copenhagen, Denmark Warsaw, Poland Basel, Switzerland Timisoara, Romania Bari, Italy Nice, France Sofia, Bulgaria Stockholm, Sweden Milan, Italy Bucharest, Romania Munich, Germany Maribor, Slovenia Lviv, Ukraine Maribor, Slovenia London, UK Sofia, Bulgaria Yerevan, Armenia London, UK Leuven, Belgium
[email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] katharina.fi[email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]
Neurooncology Neuroophthalmology/-otology Neuropathic pain Neuropathies Neurotraumatology Palliative care Public health Sleep disorders Stroke Substance abuse/neurotoxicology
© 2014 The Author(s) European Journal of Neurology © 2014 EAN
944
Editorial
Figure 1 World Congress 2013 in Vienna, Austria: young neurologists’ hospital visit.
European congresses [7,8]. A snapshot from the memorable hospital visit during the WCN 2013 in Vienna (Host: Congress President Professor Eduard Auff) is shown in Fig. 1. This year, we are happy to accept the invitation from congress president Professor Aksel Siva and the Turkish Neurological Society to host such an event during the EFNS-ENS Joint Congress in Istanbul, Turkey in May 31–June 3, 2014. Up to 90 participants will have the opportunity to get insights into the culture and practice of neurology in Turkey. This will be accomplished by a guided tour through the department, and short lectures on residency training and prospects in the country. Thereafter, the hosts have made preparations for a dinner including music and dancing for junior colleagues – don’t miss this zenith of the year! The hospital visit and the get-together event will take place on 1 June 2014. Announcements and deadlines for applications will be reported in Neuropenews and our web-based platforms from www.eaynt.org ‘Our Meetings’ section. The deadline for application is 30 April 2014. Space is limited be wise and quick. Harmonization of European neurology education and prospects
The EU enlargements in 2004 (Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia), 2007 (Bulgaria, Romania) and 2013 (Croatia) increased the economic diversity among the member states. In France, approximately 12% of medical doctors are from Romania, and the number of Romanians registered at the French Medical Association since 2007 rose from 174 to over 1000. This enhanced mobility of young doctors, mostly from
Eastern to Western Europe, has already shown an impact on the provision and quality of medical service. Moreover, the spectrum in the delivery of neurology services throughout Europe has further increased [9]. This is reflected in manpower levels, the place of neurology related to other medical specialties, and education and training [10]. In this regard, the EAYNT conducts regular surveys on the motives and interests of junior neurologists with regard to crossborder mobility in order to identify potential underlying mechanisms. The EAYNT is critically involved in processes devoted to the harmonization of neurology training and improvement of prospects for junior colleagues in their home countries [11]. This is on the one hand reflected by the support for the UEMS-EBN examination, which aims to establish a European standard in knowledge [4]. On the other hand, the EAYNT sees that it is a critical step to develop a European core curriculum for residency training in the harmonization process [12,13]. In addition, the EAYNT provides information on how to upgrade neurology training by pan-European exchange programmes, attendance of courses and congresses in Europe, and networking with fellow colleagues across borders in order to understand the cultural diversity of neurology in Europe. Of note, the EAYNT maintains an exchange programme with currently 126 participating institutions throughout Europe [14].
Conclusions Junior colleagues and medical students interested in clinical neurology should follow the emerging opportunities provided by the EAYNT. Their contribution and active involvement is critical in order to maintain a considerable voice in decisions on neurology at the European level. Don’t miss the chance to get involved!
Disclosure of conflicts of interest The authors are either current, elected or previous office members of the European Association of Neurologists and Trainees (EAYNT). Dr Gy€ orfi, Dr Moarcas, Dr Balicza, Dr Macerollo and Dr Sellner report no conflicts of interest.
O. Gy€orfia, M. Moarcasb, P. Baliczac, A. Macerollod,e and J. Sellnerf,g a
Department of Neurology, Mures County Emergency Hospital,
Targu Mures; bDepartment of Neurology, Brasov County Emergency Hospital, Brasov, Romania; cInstitute of Genomic Medicine and Rare Disorders, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary;
© 2014 The Author(s) European Journal of Neurology © 2014 EAN
Editorial
d
Department of Neuroscience and Sense Organs, Aldo Moro University of Bari, Bari, Italy; eSobell Department of Motor Neuroscience and Movement Disorders, National Hospital of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK;
f
Department of Neurology, Christian-
Doppler-Klinik, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria; and gDepartment of Neurology, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universit€ at M€ unchen, Munich, Germany
(e-mail: [email protected])
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