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Residency Training

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Pathways to Specialisation

Residency Training

A European College of Veterinary Microbiology (ECVM) residency programme is an approved training programme that allows a graduate veterinarian to acquire in-depth knowledge of veterinary microbiology and its supporting specialties under the guidance and supervision of Diplomate(s) of the ECVM.

Programme Description
 
The overall aims of the residency programme are to
→Provide the resident with broadly-based theoretical and practical experience in veterinary microbiology
→Promote high quality training in the discipline of veterinary microbiology
→Provide the resident with the opportunity to pursue career goals (such as teaching, research and diagnostic veterinary microbiology) in academia, industry or public service
→Meet the training requirements of the ECVM Executive Committee for candidates to take the ECVM certifying examination
→Be able to produce precise and concise reports and manuscripts, including analysis of data and valid interpretations and conclusions, of a standard commensurate with publications in a peer reviewed journal
At the end of the programme the veterinary microbiology specialist should be
→Knowledgeable about all aspects of the curriculum
→Clinically adept and aware of safety regulations
→Capable of providing sound continuing professional development
→Capable of offering sound advice to general practitioners, animal research institutions, etc
→Capable of training both residents and undergraduates
→Able to conduct research
→Able to further the speciality
→Able to manage a clinical/academic microbiology unit
Curriculum Subject Areas
 

In addition to the Knowledge, Skills and Competency requirements, training programmes must address the following subject areas:

General Microbiology
1.Be familiar with the nomenclature and broad taxonomy of microbial organisms
2.Be familiar with the principles and the methods of microbial identification
3.Have knowledge of comparative (human) microbiology and its bearing on veterinary microbiology
Microbial Pathogens of Veterinary Interest
1.Have a thorough knowledge of their biology, including where relevant that of their vectors
2.Understand the respective host-pathogen interactions
3.Have a clear understanding of the mechanisms of action and of the effectiveness of antimicrobial agents as well as of the factors that result in antimicrobial resistance
Microbial Diseases of Veterinary Interest
1.Have up-to-date knowledge of their epizootiology and their impact
2.Have in-depth knowledge of the measures applied to control infectious diseases of animals
Research in Veterinary Microbiology
1.Understand the principles of scientific methodology, hypothesis generation and testing
2.Have a basic knowledge of statistical methods, including the ability to design experiments that will achieve statistically meaningful results with due regard for animal welfare
3.Be familiar with legislation affecting research, in particular ethical approval and animal experimentation
Applied Veterinary Microbiology
1.Be familiar with the clinical presentation of microbial diseases and be competent in clinical examination, sampling and the respective laboratory investigation and control
2.Have in-depth knowledge of the diagnostic methods and their technical characteristics such as sensitivity, specificity, minimum detection limit, repeatability, reproducibility, predictive value
3.Be competent in the handling, transport and storage of potentially infectious biological material, including compliance with health and safety regulations in the laboratory and in transit
4.Contribute to national and international records and databases providing knowledge about the prevalence and spread of microbial pathogens and their respective diseases among animals
5.Be aware of current regulatory developments with regard to animal health and welfare, and antimicrobial usage
6.Co-operate with specialists and colleagues in other related disciplines

Knowledge skills and competencies

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  1. A systematic acquisition and understanding of a substantial body of facts, principles, theories and practices, which is at the forefront of their area of professional practice;
  2. A high moral and ethical standard with regard to his/her contribution to the protection of animal health and welfare, human health and the environment;
  3. Willingness to maintain up-to-date knowledge through congresses and literature;
  4. The ability to be acquainted with the structure, objectives, approaches and problems of the veterinary profession and specifically with regard to veterinary microbiology;
  5. The ability to keep abreast of new developments in the speciality and become familiar with new methods, before applying these in practice;
  6. An understanding of the limitations of the speciality of veterinary microbiology;
  7. An understanding of the possibilities that other specialties may have to offer;
  8. Familiarity with the potential of multidisciplinary cooperation;
  9. Awareness of current E.U. and national regulations with regard to all aspects of veterinary microbiology;
  10. The ability to conceptualise, design and implement research projects relevant to their own professional practice for the generation of new knowledge, applications or understanding at the forefront of veterinary microbiology;
  11. A detailed understanding of applicable techniques for research and advanced professional enquiry to support all the above.
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  1. Perform at a high level of professional expertise in the speciality area of veterinary microbiology including the ability to make informed judgements on non-routine and complex issues in specialist fields, often in the absence of complete data;
  2. Use a full range of investigative procedures and techniques to define and refine problems in a way that renders them amenable to the application of evidence-based approaches to their solution;
  3. Use patient safety knowledge to reduce harm and complications.
  4. Communicate their ideas and conclusions clearly and effectively to specialist and non-specialist clients and audiences;
  5. Act professionally in the provision of customised and optimal solutions to problems with regard to animals, clients, colleagues, public health and the environment;
  6. Apply high-level knowledge and skills at the forefront of the specialist area of veterinary microbiology to their own professional work;
  7. Approach problems in an analytic, scientific way and attempt to find solutions;
  8. Assign priorities to identified problems;
  9. Use modern standards of skills and equipment;
  10. Find required information quickly;
  11. Organise all aspects of his/her work efficiently and effectively
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  1. Perform at a high level of competency through teaching, research and practice in the speciality of veterinary microbiology;
  2. Carry out their responsibilities safely and ethically;
  3. Create, evaluate, interpret and apply, through clinical studies or original research, new knowledge at the forefront of their professional area, of a quality to satisfy peer review, and merit publication and presentation to professional audiences;
  4. Promote, within academic and professional contexts, technological, social or cultural advancement in a knowledge based society;
  5. Promote aptitude and proficiency in the field of veterinary microbiology;
  6. Continue to undertake research and/or clinical studies in the field of veterinary microbiology at an advanced level, contributing substantially to the development of new techniques, ideas or approaches in the speciality;
  7. Develop their professional practice and produce a contribution to professional knowledge;
  8. Maintain both professional expertise and research through advanced scholarship;
  9. Develop applied research relevant to their professional area and other scientific activities in order to contribute to the quality of the speciality of veterinary microbiology.
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Prerequisites for Enrolment
 
Applications for residency should be submitted to the Education Committee before starting a residency programme, though in the case where the residency begins before the application assessment is completed, start dates may be backdated by up to 6 months. Prospective candidates for residency programmes need to meet the following eligibility requirements:
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Be licensed or eligible to be licensed to practise veterinary medicine in a European country unless relieved of this obligation under exceptional circumstances
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Have received their veterinary qualification from a European Association of Establishments for Veterinary Education (EAEVE)-approved establishment unless relieved of this obligation by the Education Committee
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Have completed a minimum twelve-month rotating internship, which should cover a range of clinical veterinary disciplines, or equivalent approved by the Education Committee
Programme Types
 
Preferred Route
Standard Residency Training Programme

This comprises an integrated programme specifically for the purpose of preparing candidates for the ECVM certifying examination, conducted mainly at one site. The programme must be approved by the Education Committee after application by the Residency Programme Director, three months in advance of the first resident commencing.

→Approval lasts five years for any number of residents commencing within that time
→Residency training programmes must be submitted for renewed approval every five years
→This is the preferred route and potential Residency Directors are encouraged to develop such programmes wherever possible
Exceptional Cases Only
Alternate Residency Training Programme (ARP)

The College recognises that in exceptional cases, a candidate whose circumstances do not permit enrolment in a standard programme may submit an equivalent, alternate programme to the College, in cooperation with his/her supervisor, outlining the resources available to the individual for advanced study and experience.

→The ARP must be submitted to and approved by the Education Committee before the resident embarks on it
→The ARP is not approved for anyone other than the resident in question
→The total length cannot be shorter than the Standard Residency Programme
→An individual application must be made by the candidate, countersigned by the supervising Diplomate, for approval by the Education Committee using all necessary substantiating material
→Application must be made three months prior to commencement
→Each element of the ARP is subject to the same prerequisites as a Standard Residency Programme
Conditions applicable to both programmes The residency programme, standard or alternate, shall be a minimum of thirty-six months duration of advanced postgraduate training in veterinary microbiology that will start after the completion of an initial twelve-month rotating internship or equivalent approved by the ECVM Education Committee.
The Education Committee can allow the training to take place on a part time basis as long as the total time is equivalent to at least three years but does not exceed six years.
A resident on an alternate training programme must spend the equivalent of at least sixty per cent of three years working in the practice of his/her speciality, under direct supervision of a Diplomate of the College.
In case of maternity leave, illness or under exceptional circumstances a prolongation is possible; applications for this (with evidence) are made to the Exceptional Personal Circumstances Committee.
The resident must successfully pass the examinations within eight years of finishing the residency programme.
Annual Reports
 

Annual reports are submitted to and monitored by the Education Committee, who provide the reports confirming completion required to sit the examinations. Residency Directors and Supervisors must make the necessary provisions so that the time spent by each Resident during their residency is monitored and recorded for each activity (e.g., research, routine work, study, externship), as well as in total (practising the speciality).

An activity log is required to document each resident's progress throughout their residency. Recording time spent in training is especially important in connection with an Alternate Residency where an individualised programme of study has been agreed. Therefore all relevant training activities are required to be recorded and signed off in order to ensure that the resident fulfils the requirement to spend 'at least sixty per cent of three years working in the practice of veterinary microbiology under the direct supervision of a Certified Diplomate of the ECVM'.

The completed Activity Log must be submitted annually, along with the completed and signed yearly ECVM Report on Resident form.

Sheet 1
Case Log I
Cases which (i) the resident followed in detail, (ii) made an important contribution towards achieving a conclusion/diagnosis, or (iii) can be articulated into Case Reports and/or selected for the examination credentials dossier. Cases should be interesting and capture a variety of different infections. Aim for 4 to 12 cases per year.
Sheet 2
Case Log II
Record of the case load the resident has been exposed to and actively involved with, grouped by specimen type, animal species, post-mortem bacteriology, etc., and specialist activities such as bacterial environmental monitoring, molecular testing/typing. Reasonable estimates of numbers are acceptable.
Sheet 3
Skill Log
Record of the skills and competencies acquired per year.
Sheet 4
Externships
Record of activities and time spent on externship(s).
Sheet 5
Abbreviations
Some sample abbreviations are given.
Alternate Residency Programmes: An additional time sheet must be provided documenting the time per week or month spent on residency training.