European Examination and European Fellowship in Neuropathology (EFN)
Next Examination: 19-20 November 2009, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
Content of this page
- Introduction
- Examination subjects
- Examination requirements
- Board of examiners
- Registration procedure
- Future examination dates
The Examination Committee of Euro-CNS in conjunction with the UEMS Subspecialty Board of Neuropathology organize an examination in Diagnostic Neuropathology each year, in November. The examination is held in English. Successful candidates will be elected as Fellows in Neuropathology of the European Confederation of Neuropathological Societies and their names will be listed in the Register of Fellows on this website and in the Euro-CNS Journal 'Clinical Neuropathology'.
EXAMINATION SUBJECTS
The examination covered the whole field of the daily practice of a neuropathologist. This included CNS and PNS tumour, brain & spinal cord, muscle & nerve and CSF pathology. Smear slides or frozen slides were included. It also included special techniques such as electron microscopy, molecular pathology (diagnostically relevant) and (immuno) histochemistry. The examination is comparable with other international examinations in Pathology and requires sufficient knowledge of theoretical pathology as discussed in standard textbooks of Neuropathology.
EXAMINATION REQUIREMENTS
The Examination Requirements are based on a minimum training experience acquired during at least three years of full time neuropathology and one optional year:
Requirements:
1. 150 brain autopsies w. brain diseases [brain cuts]
2. 1000 neurosurgical specimens
3. 150 muscle and 25 nerve biopsies
4. CSF cytology 400
5. Profound knowledge of techniques used in neuropathology i.e immunohistochemistry, cytochemistry, electron microscopy
6. The candidate should have general knowledge on the clinical interpretation of modern neuroimaging techniques and molecular biological techniques as relevant for neuropathology, especially surgical neuropathology.
Recommendations:
7. The candidate should have knowledge of clinico-neuropathological problems
8. It is recommended that the candidate has done a number of full autopsies with a general (50) and special neurologic problem (25).
9. It is recommended that the optional (4th) year of the neuropathology training should be preferentially spent in clinical neurology or neurosurgery.
Other options are: - Neuroradiology, - Psychiatry, - Child neurology or an equivalent
BOARD OF EXAMINERS OF THE EUROPEAN FELLOWSHIP OF NEUROPATHOLOGY (EFN)
The Examiners are senior academic neuropathologists with at least 5 years experience as consultants/specialists in diagnostic neuropathology.
Members of the Board of Examiners
Herbert Budka (Wien)
Charles Duyckaerts (Paris)
Maria Teresa Giordana (Torino)
Manuel Graeber (London)
Paul Ince (Sheffield)
Robert-Charles Janzer (Lausanne)
Hans Kretzschmar (München)
Guido Reifenberger (Düsseldorf)
Dirk Troost (Amsterdam) - Chairman Euro-CNS Educational Board
Werner Paulus (Münster)
Pieter Wesseling (Nijmegen)
John Xuereb (Cambridge) - Secretary to the Board of Examiners
REGISTRATION
Requirements
To register for the next European NP Examination, please provide proof of your status as a medical doctor, and specialist qualification as a pathologist, neurologist, neurosurgeon, neuropathologist or a medical doctor in training for neuropathology in a European country. As described above, the neuropathology training must have been at least 3 years and your training/experience should adequately cover the topics as described under the examination requirements.
For candidates from Euro-CNS member countries: your registration form should be signed by the Euro-CNS delegate of your country.
For candidates from outside Euro-CNS member countries: the registration form should be signed and marked by the ISN delegate of your country.
Examination Fee
500 Euro.
Registration
For Registration please write to Mrs. Astrid van Schendel.for appropriate registration forms.
The number of participants per exam will be limited to 12. Registration will take place on a first-come-first-served basis, and requires payment of the course fee.
FUTURE EXAMINATION DATES
2009: 19-20 November, Amsterdam
2010: 18-19 November, Amsterdam
2011: 17-18 November, Amsterdam
2012: 15-16 November, t.b.a
MORE INFORMATION ON THE EUROPEAN FELLOWSHIP IN NEUROPATHOLOGY (EFN) AND REGISTER OF FELLOWS
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
What is the status of the exam, is it recognized by my country or at a European level?
First, the exam cannot and will not replace those in existence for Neuropathology in Europe. Therefore it has no formal legal status yet. However, instead of trying to get all specialist boards in the many different European countries including the UEMS to recognize a "centralized" examination in Neuropathology first and then to start working on the exam seems quite unrealistic. That's why it has been decided to go the other way around. This means we will organize a high-quality exam to ensure that the candidates who succeed are qualified diagnostic neuropathologists.
What is the importance of this exam for neuropathology?
We do hope that in due time national specialist boards will give some or all credits to the examination. Of course this will take time but it also gives us the unique opportunity to implement better quality of Neuropathology throughout Europe.
What is in it for me?
In the first place it will be a valuable extra on your CV. Second, it will become very important when you wish to work abroad, especially when you are receiving your training in a country which has no official recognition of Neuropathology as a specialty whatsoever.
What is the cost of the exam?
EURO-CNS will sponsor the event up to a certain limit. Since the exam will last for 2 days you will have to cover your own travel & hotel costs. The examination fee is 450 Euro.
Is the exam open for everyone?
No, it is intended for those only who have done at least 3 years of training in the field of neuropathology. The subscription form for the examination should also be signed by the Euro-CNS or ISN delegate of the respective European country. External candidates (from outside Europe) may provide the signature of their respective ISN delegate.
How about the contents of the examination?
The contents of the examination are described on this website (above). The eligible candidate should have knowledge of Brain tumour, Brain, Muscle, Nerve, and CSF pathology. Frozen or smear pathology of tumours will also be tested. The exam will have an oral, written and practical part. The exam will take approximately two days.
When and how will I know about the results?
The decision of the board of examiners, in writing, will reach the candidate within six weeks. It will be “Passed” or “Not passed””. Correspondence on the decision will not take place.
Is there any post-nominal attached to success in the exam?
Yes - "EFN", which stands for European Fellow in Neuropathology. The post-nominals may be used after receipt of formal notification from the Secretary of the Board of Examiners.
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