Conclusions and initiatives from the SSCVS Board

and Cardiac Surgical Committee meetings.

Belgrade, 25. November 2006.

Staring points for discussion:

• There are 4 Adult and 2 Pediatric Cardiac Surgical centers in Serbia, distributed in 2 Universities (Belgrade and Novi Sad), with less than 50 surgeons and residents, covering population of more than 7 million people;

• There is no Education and Training Program for Cardiac Surgery in Serbia;

• There is no CME policy and practice for Cardiac Surgery in Serbia;

• There is no National Certificate for Cardiac Surgery in Serbia;

• Currently available Program and Certificate in General Surgery does not fit real needs of Cardiac Surgical practice;

• Europe is investing significant efforts to define and apply internationally recognizable standards in education, training and CME, in order to create a common high standard for the quality of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery in all European countries;

• The European Board of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeons (EBTCS) was set up to establish a standard for Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery that can be recognized across Europe, and that should allow mutual recognition between European Countries;

• Above mentioned facts, formally and essentially impose a need for prompt action in order to establish national education, training, CME and certification in Cardiac Surgery, in order catch-up and stay in line with European standards.

SSCVS Cardiac Surgical Committee initiative:

1. To set up the postgraduate Cathedrae for Cardiac Surgery at Medical Schools in Belgrade and Novi Sad. This activity is to be coordinated with National Ministries of health and Education, University and Medical School authorities.

2. To grant all attending Cardiac Surgeons in Serbia with National certificate for Cardiac Surgery, based on the "Grandfather Clause". This activity is to be coordinated with National Ministries of Health and Education (which are licensing authorities in Serbia).

3. To set up National education and training program and CME in Cardiac Surgery, according to National Low for the High Education, Bologna Declaration, UEMS and EBTCS recommendations. This activity is to be coordinated with National Ministries of health and Education, University and Medical School authorities, UEMS, EBTCS and ECTSIA.

4. To promote the benefits of "Belgrade Project 1-3-5" which allows the most efficient and highly coordinated education, training and CME in thoracic, cardiac and vascular surgery. This Project overcomes not only National but also European and global difficulties in education, training and CME in these 3 distinct, but interdependent and sometimes overlapping specialties. This activity is to be coordinated with National Ministries of Health and Education, International Credentialing Commitee, World Bank, WHF, UEMS, EBTCS, EBTS, EBVS, EACTS, EATS, ESCVS, ESVS, National and Regional Societies, American and other Associations and distinguished professionals. CTSNet is expected to help in "Belgrade Project 1-3-5" promotion. (To learn more about this project, please visit "Education" link on this site).