Regulations regarding re-evaluation for diplomates of the ECEIM

From January 2001 (and therefore from the inception of the ECEIM) the European Board of Veterinary Specialisation requires that all Diplomates of the various European Colleges (including de facto and invited Diplomates) be re-accredited every five years. There are no exemptions from the requirement.

It is an EBVS regulation that Diplomates must attend the AGM of their European College at least twice in a five year period. Failure to do so will result in your application for re-evaluation of your Diplomate status being unsuccessful. The ECEIM AGM is held at the annual congress.

It is the responsibility of each diplomate to submit his/her credentials to the Chair of the Education and Credentials for re-evaluation before 30 June on the year their re-evaluation is due using this approved form (doc). Reminders will not usually be sent. The Education and Credentials Committeee will consider each application.

Re-evaluation will be dependent on the accumulation of at least 10 points each year and a total of at least 100 points for the 5-year period of Diplomate Status in the categories outlined below:

1. Continued involvement in speciality of equine internal medicine at a rate of more than 50% of working time.
2. Preparation of examination items for the Diploma Exam is mandatory the first year after gaining Diplomate status when 10 questions are required. In other years, preparation of examination items is optional and 2 points per question up to a maximal of 6 points per year can be obtained.
3. Publication of original research and clinical reports in refereed journals that have been approved by the ECEIM Education and Credentials Committeee: a list of approved journals can be found here (pdf). Diplomates are invited to contact the Chair of the Education and Credentials Committeee if they wish to nominate additional journals to this list.
4. Publication of educational review articles, textbook materials and other reference media such as computer based (web delivered) learning materials relevant to equine internal medicine.
5. Oral and Poster presentations at national and international conferences, congresses and continuing education events. For this purposes, a list defining International congresses is available here (pdf). Diplomates are invited to contact the Chair of the Education and Credentials Committeee if they wish to nominate additional congresses to this list.
6. Attendance at national and international congresses and continuing education events.
7. Involvement in the ongoing administration of the ECEIM at committee level or higher.
8. Supervisory roles in internship and residency training programmes.
9. Other Boards or Committees.

Research Time

Clinical contact is the basis of re-evaluation and continuation of Diplomate status. Time spent on non-clinical research is not normally included except in special circumstances approved individually by the Education and Credentials Committeee of the ECEIM, although research based publications will of course be recognised.

Periods of time in which no points are accumulated Time in which no points are accumulated will not be permitted without special dispensation (illness, personal reasons etc will be considered). Diplomates are advised to contact the Chairman of the Education and Credentials Committeee if they anticipate that they will have periods of time in which no points will be accumulated. ECEIM is awaiting instructions from the Executive Committee of EBVS on regulations regarding career breaks.

Withdrawal and restoration of Diplomate Status Failure to fulfil the required clinical involvement with equine internal medicine or failure to achieve the required number of points will result in a 12 month extension being given in which additional points can be obtained or the outstanding requirements met. If the requirements are not fulfilled at this time, European Specialist status will be withdrawn and will not be restored until the outstanding requirements are met.

Updated OCTOBER 2014