The curriculum for ECEIM specialist training

The curriculum is competency-based, with a minimum requirement of three years of full-time veterinary specialty training (adjusted to a maximum of six years for flexible training) equivalent to 180 ECTS per the EU directive 2005/36/EC. The table below summarises the structure of the 156-week curriculum for the residency-training programme, with the associated hours and assigned credits detailed. The ECTS credits serve as guide for evaluation of the resident’s progression during the residency.

Parts of the Curriculum	Title	Weeks	ETC
Core part	Hands-on clinical training	Min. 93	158
Supportive disciplines	Clinical pathology	2	3
	Gross pathology	1	1
	Anaesthesiology	2	4
	Diagnostic imaging	4	7
	Emergency care/critical care/neonatal care medicine	2	4
	Other (resident's interest)*	2	3
	Total	106	180
Clinical Work in total		106
Summer School		1
Vacation		12-20 (min 12)
Research or clinical investigation		12-20 (min. 12)
Preparation of scientific manuscripts/private study		12-20 (min. 12)
Total**		Minimum 156

*Working in a clinical and/or commercial laboratory, courses in business/management/finance/media etc...

**Residents are expected to actively participate in the College activities.

The curriculum relates to specialty training in equine internal medicine with defined and specific objectives and assessment criteria leading to becoming an ECEIM Diplomate. Courses in other disciplines undertaken before the start of the residency-training programme do not result in a reduction of the residency-training programme duration or specific requirements.

The curriculum applies to training in all nations of the EU, Switzerland, the UK, Israel and Norway. Excluding the North American countries, non-European residency-training programmes may be recognised by the Education and Credentials Committee. In all cases, this curriculum should be used with a direct supervisor who is an ECEIM Diplomate.

The degree of clinical responsibility assumed by the resident shall be appropriate to the nature of the case, procedure and training experience but must include:

Receiving clinic appointments.
Supervising daily management of hospitalised horses.
Participation in clinical teaching. This can include in-house teaching or in external institutions.
Providing optimal clinical service and prompt professional communications.

The residency-training programme must include a balanced distribution of exposure to common clinical cases evaluated by equine internal medicine clinicians. The practical skills acquired in the residency-training program are evaluated on a day-to-day basis by the direct supervisor and colleagues. The signing of the resident’s progress report by the supervisor is considered evidence of the resident’s proficiency in practical skills and clinical reasoning. All knowledge acquired during the residency-training programme will be tested by college run exams after credentials have been accepted. Assessment of resident performance and the general learning outcomes by the resident supervisor during the residency-training programme can be done using one or all the following:

Case-based discussion(s) with colleagues and supervisors during the residency-training programme.
Mini-Clinical Evaluation Exercises with colleagues and supervisors.
First/last author publications of at least two peer-reviewed scientific papers.
National/international presentations.
Formal ECEIM examinations