Oct 25th, 2000

Secretary, European Board of Veterinary Specialization
c/o : Federation of Veterinarians in Europe
Rue Defacqz 1
B 1000 Bruxelles - Belgique
Phone: +32 2 538 2963 - Fax: +32 2 537 2828
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Re : Letter of Intent for Application for Recognition of the European College of Veterinary Clinical Pathology

To whom it may concern:

    Please consider this submission by the executive committee of the European Society of Veterinary Clinical Pathology (ESVCP) as a "Letter of Intent" to obtain EBVS recognition of a new college, the European College of Veterinary Clinical Pathologists. The basis for this letter is outlined below. Accordingly, as described in the EBVS constitution guidelines for establishment, recognition and supervision of Colleges, would you please assign two members of the EBVS to act as liason with us and provide instruction in the preparation of our application for EBVS recognition. Please assign this liason as soon as possible and before the end of the year 2000.

Sincerely,

Peter J. O'Brien
DVM, PhD, DVSc, MRCVS, DACVP (Clin Path)
President ESVCP

 

Basis for Intention to Submit An Application for EBVS recognition of the new College, "European College of Veterinary Clinical Pathologists

 

1. Background of ESVCP and Letter of Intent.


  • Foundation of ESVCP. The European Society of Veterinary Clinical Pathology (ESVCP) was founded on September 26th, 1998 in Vienna, Austria. The foundation of a European College of Veterinary Clinical Pathology (ECVCP) was planned because of the identified need for well educated clinical pathologists with certified experience for leading positions in commercial laboratories, industry, and veterinary schools.
  • Working Group on Formation of ECVCP. On Oct 16th, 1999, at a meeting of ESVCP in Perugia, Italy, a subcommittee was formed: i) to investigate whether a European speciality of Veterinary Clinical Pathology should be formed as an independent College or else as a subspeciality of an existing College; ii) to define a plan and time-table for establishing the speciality; iii) to report back to ESCVP when completed.
  • EBVS Letter of Information. On October 30th, 1999 the ESVCP submitted a "Letter of Information" to the EBVS indicating (a) its plan to investigate the possibility of formally establishing a European speciality on Veterinary Clinical Pathology, and (b) its formation of a subcommittee to obtain the relevant information.
  • Report of Working Group. On July 21st, 2000 the report of the subcommittee on Establishing a European College of Veterinary Clinical Pathology presented results of its investigations and survey and gave its conclusions1. To date, a total of 91 respondents practicing veterinary clinical pathology have completed questionaires for the ESVCP Working group on establishing a European College of Veterinary Clinical Pathology. Investigations, interviews and postal survey conducted by the Working group gave strong support to the formation of a European College of Veterinary Clinical Pathology.
  • Postal Vote on Subspecialty or New College. As agreed in Perugia in 1999, following the report of the above subcommittee, a postal vote of ESVCP members was conducted to determine whether the ESVCP should pursue subspecialisation within an existing college or else establish an independent college. The Postal vote was completed by 61 members, with 45 in favour of formation of an independent college, 13 in favour of a subspecialty of which 8 were members of ECVIM-CA (5) or ECVP (3), and 3 who remained non-committal.

    • 2. Basis for Letter of Intent

    Intention to ensure improved medical services will be provided to the public

    Veterinary clinical pathology is a discipline-oriented specialisation, which focuses on diagnostic laboratory procedures in clinical biochemistry, haematology, and cytology for the monitoring of animal health and the diagnosis, treatment and monitoring of animal diseases. Clinical biochemistry is considered to include areas of endocrinology and molecular genetics.

    The primary objectives are to advance veterinary clinical pathology and to promote a high standard of veterinary clinical pathology and veterinary clinical pathologists in Europe by:
    a) Encouraging special training beyond the professional veterinary degree to enhance the ability of candidates to meet certification requirements and update the competency of specialists.
    b) Establishing guidelines for post-graduate education and experience prerequisite to become a specialist in veterinary clinical pathology,
    c) Examining and authenticating veterinarians as specialists in veterinary clinical pathology.
    d) Encouraging research and other contributions to knowledge relating to veterinary clinical pathology and promoting communication and dissemination of this knowledge.
    e) Encouraging and promoting the establishment of standards for the performance of laboratory procedures in veterinary clinical pathology

    Will fill a clearly demonstrable need within the profession

    Veterinary clinical pathology focuses on the diagnostic laboratory procedures for monitoring animal health and the diagnosis, treatment and monitoring of animal disease. Conduct of veterinary clinical pathology is a mandatory requirement of the practice of veterinary medicine in every European veterinary school and veterinary clinic, and in every animal diagnostic laboratory operating commercially and in industry. However, lack of European training and certifying standards has resulted in European needs not been addressed.

    A national, advisory committee on veterinary specialisation² recently (1995) produced a discussion paper on Veterinary Clinical Pathology that aptly summarises the European situation. The committee concluded that there were:
    a) low numbers of veterinary-trained clinical pathologists,
    b) lack of accredited training opportunities,
    c) lack of appropriate examination structure,
    b) lack of accredited training opportunities,
    c) lack of appropriate examination structure,
    d) poor perception of veterinary clinical pathology as a veterinary clinical and scientific specialty. These conclusions are consistent with those of the ESVCP survey of European Veterinary Clinical Pathology.

  • Training Need.ESVCP survey indicates that more than ~60% of European practicing veterinary clinical pathologists have been unable to acquire appropriate training in Europe1. In excess of 20% have received no formal training, with an additional ~25% having received less than the 3 years formal training that considered necessary for certifying a veterinary clinical pathologist1. To obtain training ~30% of European veterinary clinical pathologists have had to go to the US or Canada¹.
  • Certification Need. More than 83% of European practicing veterinary clinical pathologists have no form of certification in veterinary clinical pathology1. The remainder claim national certification of expertise in this speciality. There is no European-wide certifying body for veterinary clinical pathologists.
  • Employment Need. Currently, based on the ESVCP survey, there are at least 21 full-time employment positions available for veterinary clinical pathologists, with a further 49 likely to become available in the near future1. Many of these positions are in academia, but clinical pathologists are also needed in industry, commercial diagnostic laboratories and private veterinary clinics1.
  • Current Needs Frequently Met by Non-specialists. In the absence of a regulatory European body for veterinary clinical pathology, positions in European Veterinary schools, veterinary diagnostic laboratories, and industry are frequently filled by non-specialists. These positions have frequently had to be filled by persons trained in / qualified with internal medicine (ECVIM-CA) or pathology (ECVP) or non-veterinary clinical chemists and haematologists.
  • Timing. The information in this letter of intent indicates that the need for a European College of Veterinary Clinical Pathology (ECVCP) is immediate and this need is growing. The current need is accentuated by the time period between establishment of the ECVCP and its admission by examination of the first group of Veterinary Clinical Pathologists that are trained and experienced according to ECVCP standards. The formation of the ECVCP at this time is also appropriate to the timing of the establishment of the two colleges to which veterinary clinical pathology is critically linked, namely ECVIM-CA and ECVP. Finally, in addition to need, there is critical mass and call for the formation of an independent college.

    Have sufficient body of potential diplomates to form a college
    In year 2000, the ESVCP membership list identified ~100 Europeans, most practicing veterinary clinical pathology. This list which will be updated by Spring 2001, is expected to have grown by 25% to 125 members.
    A total of 91 veterinarians practicing veterinary clinical pathology from 17 countries provided information to the ESVCP in a survey of the status of European veterinary clinical pathology.
    There are at least 35 members of the ESVCP from 14 countries who have met the EBVS criteria that are specifically defined in its constitution for membership of a European College of Veterinary Clinical Pathology. This number excludes those ESVCP members of other colleges, such as ECVIM-CA, ECVP, ECVD, and ECVPT.
    Of the above 35 ESVCP members who are potential ECVCP diplomates, at least 18 have met the EBVS criteria that are specifically defined in its constitution for Charter Diplomates or Founder Diplomates.
    In association with each of the above 35 ESVCP members, there will be at least 30 institutions where trainees can acquire at least partial training in veterinary clinical pathology.

    Represent a distinct, identifiable specialty based on knowledge and practice
    Veterinary Clinical Pathology is a distinct and identifiable specialty of veterinary medicine that is based on knowledge and practice separate from that of the ECVIM-CA, ECVP, and other EBVS-recognised colleges. Veterinary Clinical Pathology may be considered to functionally occupy an intermediary position between EVCIM-CA and ECVP. However, gaps exist between Veterinary Clinical Pathology and ECVIM-CA and ECVP in knowledge base, practical skills, concepts, processes, and technology. These gaps are progressively widening with growth and modernisation, including (a) selection, development and validation of new methodologies and technologies (eg automation, computerisation, molecular biology), (b) laboratory (operations, data, quality) management, and (c) testing of more species. This distinctiveness is based on the following.

    Methodology, Technology and Laboratory Management
    Interpretation of veterinary clinical pathology data requires a thorough and comprehensive knowledge of the use and management of unique technologies and methodologies and of laboratory management (of operations, data, quality) that are used to generate the data. Such knowledge, experience and training are unique to Veterinary Clinical Pathology, and are not found to sufficient extent within the requirements for ECVIM-CA and ECVP members. Interpretation of veterinary clinical pathology data also requires a substantive knowledge of veterinary medicine and pathology. Such knowledge, experience and training are unique to Veterinary Clinical Pathology, and are not found to sufficient extent within the requirements for non-veterinary, technical training programs restricted to clinical pathology technology.

    Depth of Knowledge
    Veterinary Clinical Pathology data is integral to monitoring animal health and in determining the etiopathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment of animal disease. Accordingly it is called upon by both internal medicine and pathology. Thus some knowledge of Veterinary Clinical Pathology is commonplace in the memberships of ECVIM-CA and ECVP. However, knowledge of the methodology and technology and laboratory management are not included in the training for membership in ECVIM-CA and ECVP.

    Different Knowledge
    Whereas ECVIM-CA is restricted to companion animals, Veterinary Clinical Pathology also importantly includes laboratory, agricultural, aquatic and exotic animals. None of the three areas of Veterinary Clinical Pathology, namely, clinical biochemistry (including areas of endocrinology and molecular genetics), haematology, and cytology are specifically covered by in-depth training or examination by the ECVP or ECVIM-CA.

    Will establish and abide by clear standards for admission to membership
    There will be clear standards that will be abided by for admission to membership of the ECVCP. The EBVS constitution will define the basic standards for defacto admission of veterinary clinical pathologists during formation of the ECVCP. After formation of the ECVCP, admission will be on the basis of examination following specified training and experience.     The lack of wide-spread development of veterinary clinical pathology training programs in European Veterinary Schools will necessitate the measures described below.

    1) Initially, to avail themselves of training programs recognised and approved by the ECVCP Examination Committee in veterinary clinical pathology for all three areas of clinical biochemistry, haematology, and cytology, most trainees will need to receive their training at more than one institution and likely in more than one country. They will be required to have documented receipt of ECVCP-specified training and successful achievement of an acceptable standard of performance by their supervisory ECVCP diplomate prior to undergoing comprehensive examination by the ECVCP. Candidates for examination will be required to be practicing the specialty for at least 50% of their time, based on a working week of 40 hours. Additionally, as specified in the EBVS constitution, they will have demonstrated moral and ethical standing in the profession.

    2) A route for candidates to qualify for examination that is alternative to a formal training program will be defined.

    3) The ECVCP educational committee will identify and certify training programs for all three areas of veterinary clinical pathology for appropriateness of facilities, case load, and supervision. A standard route through education, training, and experience that provides the most time-efficient pathway to qualify for examination will be identified. The training period will be of at least three years duration and under the supervision of a diplomate of the ESVCP. There will be didactic and experiential training requirements. Specific knowledge to be gained, skills to be mastered, experience to be achieved, and accomplishments to be achieved will be explicitly identified.

    Also, as specified in the EBVS constitution, the following criteria will be met.

    1) The College will publish a policy indicating that details of any deficiencies in credentials or examination results that prevent certification by the college will be promptly reported to candidates. Examination results will be announced on the same day as any deficiencies in examination results. A formal appeal procedure for candidates in case of an adverse decision by the College will be defined in the constitution.

    2) The College will restrict its activities to those within the scope of its stated objectives.

    3) The College will notify the EBVS of all changes in its constitution and bylaws at the time of the next annual report.

    4) The College will be legally incorporated as a non-profit organisation within a European country.

    References

    ESVCP Working Group on Establishing a College of Veterinary Clinical Pathology. (a) Survey of European Veterinary Clinical Pathologists. 2000. (b) Specialisation of European Veterinary Clinical Pathology: Subspecialise from ECVIM-CA / ECVP or Form a Separate College?

    ¹. Kelly, DF. Veterinary Clinical Pathology. The Bulletin of the College of Veterinary Pathologists. Number 89. Jan 1995 pp16-17.

    Appendix I:
    Summary of ESVCP Survey Results Presented at General Meeting of ESVCP, Jul 2000

    Results will be added soon!

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