Young European Academy of Paediatrics

The EJD represents over 300,000 junior doctors from all over Europe and has the objective to safeguard the interests of junior doctors in Europe by improving the working conditions and the mobility in the profession and setting standards regarding the quality of postgraduate medical training.The EJD send Representatives to the UEMS Boards, Sections and Multidisciplinary Joint Committees (MJC) as the input of doctors in training in the matters of postgraduate medical training is considered of paramount importance for both institutions. EJD representatives should also be part of the PGT visiting committees. The EAP has kindly invited the EJD for Paediatrics to be part of its Executive Committee and as such provide direct input to issues related to the promotion of European child health, the improvement of health standards and the European representation of professional interests.

The EAP recommends the standards for postgraduate training in paediatrics, advocates for children’s health across Europe, and represents the professional interests of paediatricians in Europe. In terms of medical training, the EAP/UEMS has the responsibility to promote harmonisation in paediatric training throughout its member states. Within the EAP, the European Board of Paediatrics (EBP) recommends the standards for specialist training in paediatrics and the maintenance of such standards. The EAP/UEMS is responsible for developing and updating curricula for paediatric training and the different recognized paediatric subspecialties. It is responsible for developing programs for the trainees and trainers, as well as accreditation for the teaching centres. EAP/UEMS is responsible for evaluation of the CME accreditations for the paediatric congresses and any form of new formats in postgraduate training in Europe. It is important to recognise that the national training standards within any country are determined by that country’s national training authority (NTA), although they should be guided by the recommendations that are endorsed by UEMS. Consequently, recommendations from the UEMS are not binding, but for many countries (both within and outside the EU) the European standards provide valuable support for the profession in maintaining adequate duration of training, and enabling the movement of professionals between countries.

The EAP is active in several advocacy areas, including antibiotic resistance, migrant health, chronic diseases (including obesity) and paediatric medicines. In these key areas, the EAP works closely with partners including the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, the International Society for Social Pediatrics and Child Health, and the European Public Health Alliance and with EAP subspecialty societies like the European Society for Paediatric Infectious Diseases and the European Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition. In addition, the EAP is member of the External Advisory Board of MOCHA (Models of Child Health Appraised), a study of paediatric primary healthcare in 30 European countries.