International standards for programmes of training in intensive care medicine in Europe

• Published in: Intensive care medicine Vol. 37; no. 3; pp. 385 - 393
• Main Authors: Bullock, A, Wilde, J D, Bion, J F, Clutton-Brock, T, Flaatten, H, Mathy, B, van Mook, W, Schuwirth, L, Marsh, B, Phelan, D, Shippey, B, Nimmo, G, Castel, S, Hillion, Y, Bonnet, J, Chaumont, D, Rothen, H U, Reay, H, Krenn, C, Germann, P, Ferdinande, P, de Backer, D, Smilov, I, Keremidchieva, N, Gasparoviae, V, Radonic, R, Kyprianou, T, Kakas, M, Sramek, V, Rubertsson, Sten, m.fl, (et al)
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer-Verlag 01.03.2011; Springer; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Accreditation; Anesthesia. Intensive care medicine. Transfusions. Cell therapy and gene therapy; Anesthesiology; Biological and medical sciences; Clinical Competence - standards; Clinical death. Palliative care. Organ gift and preservation; Collaboration; Consensus; Critical Care; Critical Care Medicine; Curriculum - standards; Delphi method; Delphi Technique; Education, Medical, Graduate - standards; Emergency Medicine; Europe; Group Processes; Humans; Intensive; Intensive care; Intensive care medicine; International Cooperation; Medical sciences; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Meetings; Pain Medicine; Pediatrics; Pneumology/Respiratory System; Quality Control; Quality improvement; Quality standards; Special Article; Specialization; Training; Europe; United Kingdom > UK; Training; Intensive care; Quality assurance; CoBaTrICE; Critical care; Accreditation; Standards; Resuscitation
• ISSN: 0342-4642; 1432-1238; 1432-1238
• DOI: 10.1007/s00134-010-2096-x

Purpose To develop internationally harmonised standards for programmes of training in intensive care medicine (ICM). Methods Standards were developed by using consensus techniques. A nine-member nominal group of European intensive care experts developed a preliminary set of standards. These were revised and refined through a modified Delphi process involving 28 European national coordinators representing national training organisations using a combination of moderated discussion meetings, email, and a Web-based tool for determining the level of agreement with each proposed standard, and whether the standard could be achieved in the respondent’s country. Results The nominal group developed an initial set of 52 possible standards which underwent four iterations to achieve maximal consensus. All national coordinators approved a final set of 29 standards in four domains: training centres, training programmes, selection of trainees, and trainers’ profiles. Only three standards were considered immediately achievable by all countries, demonstrating a willingness to aspire to quality rather than merely setting a minimum level. Nine proposed standards which did not achieve full consensus were identified as potential candidates for future review. Conclusions This preliminary set of clearly defined and agreed standards provides a transparent framework for assuring the quality of training programmes, and a foundation for international harmonisation and quality improvement of training in ICM.