EBO exam puts candidates through their paces

[caption id="attachment_12160" align="alignleft" width="1024"] Gordana Sunaric Mégevand, President of the EBO[/caption] The best and brightest of Europe’s young ophthalmologists gathered in May in Paris for the annual European Board of Ophthalmology diploma (EBOD) examination. First held in Milan in 1995, the EBOD examination is designed to assess the knowledge and clinical skills requisite to the delivery of a high standard of ophthalmic care both in hospitals and in independent clinical practices. The high participation rate of recent years shows no sign of abating, with 651 candidates from 28 European countries taking part in this year’s comprehensive examination. “This year’s pass rate was 90%, so we are happy to see that the high standards continue to be maintained and we congratulate all of those candidates who took part this year,” said Gordana Sunaric Mégevand MD, FMH, PhD FEBO, President of the European Board of Ophthalmology. Candidates who succeed in passing the examination receive an EBO certificate and earn the right to use the title “Fellow of the European Board of Ophthalmology (FEBO)” after their name. Dr Sunaric Mégevand paid special tribute to the 308 examiners from 27 countries who put the candidates through their paces over the two days of the examinations. “The EBO is very grateful and deeply appreciative to all examiners for their commitments and efforts in advancing training and education in Europe,” she said. Beginning next year, EBO will introduce an awards system in recognition of the examiners’ contribution to the exam, said Dr Sunaric Mégevand. Those examiners who have participated in six exams will receive a silver pin, with gold and platinum pins awarded for nine and 12 exams respectively. Dr Sunaric Mégevand also thanked the French Society of Ophthalmology (SFO), which hosts the exam every year in conjunction with its annual meeting, as well as Théa Laboratories for their active support over many years. The EBO exams this year also included the first ever subspecialty paediatric and strabismus examination, with seven candidates from four countries taking part. EBO now validates several subspecialty examinations, including glaucoma since 2015 and cataract and refractive since 2017, with more expected to follow in the near future. “The exam is primarily intended for those who have recently completed one year of fellowship training in strabismus and paediatric ophthalmology or equivalent training, have gained in addition two-to-three years’ clinical experience and are starting independent practice,” explained John Sloper, President of the European Strabismological Association. Seven candidates have taken the exam, and five have passed successfully. The 2018 Peter Eustace Medal, in recognition of service to the cause of European ophthalmic education, was awarded posthumously to the Italian ophthalmologist Costantino Bianchi. The merit and contribution of Dr Jean-Paul Dernouchamp to the development of the EBO was also posthumously acknowledged. A former secretary general of the UEMS, Dr Dernouchamp passed away late last year. This year, Estelle Neiter from France received the Alan Ridgway Award for best multiple choice questions (MCQs) result, while the award for Best Overall EBOD outcome went to Nikolaus Luft from Germany.

Tags: European Board of Ophthalmology Diploma