European Board and College of 
Obstetrics and Gynaecology (EBCOG)

EBCOG is the Board of the Section of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of the Union Européenne des Médecins Spécialistes (UEMS). The purpose of UEMS is to harmonize and improve the quality of medical specialist practice in the EU. Based in Brussels, EBCOG was set up in 1996 and currently has 33 member countries.

EBCOG’s aim is to improve the health of women and unborn and newborn babies by promoting the highest possible standards of care. To do this EBCOG brings together eminent professionals from all its member countries and also works closely with the four sub specialist pillars of Materno-Fetal Medicine (the European Association of Perniatal Medicine), Gynaecological Oncology (the European Society of Gynaecological Oncology), Reproductive medicine (the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology) and Urogynaecology (the European Urogynaecology Association). Significantly, EBCOG has been formally recognized by the International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) as the organisation which officially represents European Gynaecologists within FIGO.

EBCOG’s core activities are education and training and EBCOG has produced a specialist training programme and log book and, together with the subspecialist societies, has developed training programmes and log books for each of the subspecialties. A programme for ‘Training the Trainers’ is currently being developed.

In addition EBCOG has a hospital visiting and accreditation system, via which hospitals can request a visit from EBCOG and, subject to the outcome of the visit, can be accredited for a five year period as an EBCOG-recognised training centre. A subspecialist visiting programme began recently and subspecialist training centres can now receive joint recognition by EBCOG and the relevant sub specialist society.

EBCOG works closely with and very much supports ENTOG, the European Network of Trainees in O & G and, in conjunction with ENTOG, runs hands-on training courses immediately prior to each European Congress of O & G. These Congresses take place every two years and the 20th European Congress is due to take place in Lisboa on 4 - 8 March 2008. The 21st European Congress will be held in Antwerp in 2010. Information on the Lisboa Congress is now available on EBCOG’s updated website: www.ebcog.org

EBCOG is very keen to ensure that it represents obstetricians and gynaecologists from Europe as a whole, and one of its successful strategic priorities has been to increase membership from central and eastern European countries.

President: Prof. William Dunlop                             Secretary-General: Prof. Wolfgang Holzgreve
Treasurer: Prof. Peter Hornnes                                    Vice-President: Prof. George Creatsas

Edited by: Paralelo 38 @ 08-08-2007 - 16H13