European College of Equine Internal Medicine

About the ECEIM

The European College of Equine Internal Medicine (ECEIM) aims to advance equine internal medicine in Europe and increase the competency of those who practice in this field.

The ECEIM was established in 2000 and became a fully recognised member of the European Board of Veterinary Specialisation (EBVS) in 2010. The EBVS was set up to encourage, recognise and monitor veterinary specialty colleges such as the ECEIM.

Objectives

To establish guidelines for post-graduate education and experience prerequisite to become a specialist in the speciality of equine internal medicine.

To examine and authenticate veterinarians as specialist in equine internal medicine to serve the veterinary patient, its owner and the public in general, by providing expert care for horses, ponies, donkeys, mules and other equidae with medical diseases and to encourage research and other contributions to knowledge relating to pathogenesis, diagnosis, therapy, prevention, and its control of diseases directly or indirectly affecting equidae, and promoting communication and dissemination of this knowledge.

What does the ECEIM do?

The European College of Equine Internal Medicine (ECEIM) was established in 2000 and became a fully recognised member of the European Board of Veterinary Specialisation (EBVS) in 2010. The EBVS was set up to encourage, recognise and monitor veterinary specialty colleges such as the ECEIM which in turn has its own primary objectives which are to:

  • Advance equine internal medicine in Europe
  • Increase the competency of those who practice in this field

What we do to achieve these objectives:

It is important to inform the public that a recognised European College exists that examines and authenticates veterinarians as specialists in equine internal medicine. One of the ways we try to achieve this is by having an accessible and up to date web site where both the public as well as ECEIM Diplomates and Diplomate candidates (residents) can access the latest information on College activities. It also provides a list of fully certified ECEIM Diplomates and in which country they are located.

Supporting and promoting research are other important aspects of advancing equine internal medicine. The College arranges an annual international meeting where the latest research focusing on equine internal medicine is presented and new developments in this field shared with colleagues. These meetings are also important in establishing new, collaborative research projects which will further advance and strengthen this international network of equine internal medicine specialists. Furthermore, the meetings act as important discussion forums for difficult or unusual clinical cases as well as emerging equine diseases. These discussions are further encouraged and facilitated through an internet forum open to ECEIM Diplomates and residents through the website.

Strengthening the College through training and examination of new Diplomates is one of the most important parts of promoting equine internal medicine in Europe as well as to increase the competency of those who practice in this field. The ECEIM works actively to help establish approved training programmes throughout Europe where residents undergo a structured training programme under the supervision and guidance of fully certified ECEIM Diplomates. It is the aim of the College to have fully certified ECEIM Diplomates throughout Europe who will help disseminate its primary objectives which will fundamentally help to provide expert care to the horse and other members of the Equidae family.

What does an ECEIM Diplomate do?

As a pre-requisite to obtaining and maintaining ECEIM Diplomate status, involvement in a speciality of equine internal medicine at a rate of more than 50% of the working time is required. This means that the majority of Diplomates are actively involved in clinical equine practice either at a University or in a private equine clinic. During this time, clinical examination, diagnostic procedures as well as treatment of patients are carried out to the highest standard.

If the Diplomate works at an ECEIM approved training centre, supervising residents are likely to be an important part of the work. Similarly, initiating and participating in research projects and clinical studies are Diplomate requirements.

ECEIM Diplomates are also expected to participate and support the College while keeping up to date with the latest research and clinical developments. In order to maintain Diplomate status, every five years each Diplomate must be re-accredited proving that one is still eligible to be a member of the ECEIM by maintaining the highest clinical standard. In order to do so, the Diplomate must have attended courses and conferences as well as published articles in approved veterinary journals.