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Other Guidelines
Guidelines on the standards for the training of specialised
health professionals dealing with breast cancer
1. Introduction
In May 2000, EUSOMA published a position paper defining the
requirements of a specialist breast unit [1]. One of the key mandatory
requirements was that each breast unit must have a core team made up of health
professionals from various disciplines who have undergone specialist training
in breast cancer beyond that given in their general training.
In this regard Eusoma has invited some of the leading European experts in the
different disciplines to outline the standards necessary to ensure the best
specialist training, which resulted in this extensive and comprehensive
document.
The following papers define the standards of training in breast cancer, which
may be used for accreditation of specialists in Breast Radiology, Breast
Diagnostic Radiography, Breast Care Nursing, Breast Surgery, Breast Pathology,
Breast Medical Oncology, Breast Radiotherapy and Breast Medical Physics.
1.1. Objectives
These training standards were drawn up with the following
immediate objectives: - To establish the minimal theoretical and practical
knowledge required to be certified as a specialist health professional in the
field of breast cancer. - To identify the assessment strategy needed to
evaluate the competence of each candidate to the title of Specialist in Breast
Cancer.
In the longer term, the objective is to increase the standard of
breast care available to all women across Europe.
1.2. Content and structure
Each paper defines the entry requirements or ideal profile of a
candidate for the title of Breast Specialist. It outlines the theoretical
topics the candidate must demonstrate knowledge in, and the required practical
element of their training. It also defines the ways in which candidates will be
assessed.
The content of these guidelines is partially based on evidence and partially on
best practice. The authors wish that, when introduced, these guidelines will
greatly contribute to an increase in the level of care in a given breast unit,
as the input of qualified health professionals will be of critical importance
to increase the current standards of care and to make substantial progress in
the clinical research area.
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