First Experience with EU Paediatric Exam

The assessment of training is complex, requiring evaluation of knowledge, skills and attitude. Consequently, over many years, national bodies across Europe have developed disparate models of assessment and this makes comparisons between different European trainees hard to make. In its turn this restricts movement of trainees across health systems and reduces the spread of learning and improvement that such mobility would foster.

To address this, the European Board of Paediatrics, working with the European Academy of Paediatrics, has developed the first ever pan-European examination in core paediatrics. This multiple choice exam, in English, aims to assess knowledge amongst trainees in paediatrics regardless of their final intended specialty area. The development of such an exam is complex, expensive and time consuming.

In November 2020 the first such exam took place (on-line). Over 100 candidates sat the exam, the vast majority from Europe. In this presentation I will review the steps taken to develop this exam, ensure its quality and deliver it successfully in the middle of a global pandemic.