TRAINING OF CYTOTECHNOLOGISTS IN EUROPE
A DATABASE PREPARED BY
THE EUROPEAN ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON CYTOLOGY FOR THE EUROCYTOLOGY WEBSITE PROJECT
Tasks of the EACC
To obtain information
from each EFCS member country by means of a questionnaire to prepare a database
of the status of cytology training and to identify needs of cytology training.
Method
Twenty six
cytotechnologists from 22 countries were identified
and invited to participate in the
study. Contact was by e mail and the
contacts were asked to complete the
questionnaire below.
Once the
questionnaires had been returned the results were analysed and collated
Questionnaire
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1.1 What is the approximate number of fully trained Cytotechnologists in
your country? 1.2 The number according to competence level: A. Basic level
(cannot report negative or unsatisfactory specimens) B. Intermediate
level (can report negative and unsatisfactory specimens, can undertake rescreening and offer a differential
diagnosis on abnormal specimens) C. Advanced level
(can report normal and abnormal specimens) 1.3 What is the approximate number of persons training to be Cytotechnologists (trainees)
each year? |
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Please elaborate on your requirements: 2.1 What is the basic educational standard required for the entry into cytology
training in your country? (eg.
technician, medical technologist or other) 2.2. At which academic level is this education given? (eg.
high school, college, university or other) 2.3. Is the training given as part of a general programme of laboratory
technology or as a separate course / education? 2.3.1. If formal training courses are offered what is the duration? Please
figure 60 credit points pr. year 2.3.2. Which subjects are included in the curriculum? (Please specify) 2.4. Is the training given by instructors at the workplace? (Other; please
specify) |
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3.1. Is the cytology training programme accredited by an academic institution?
(university, college or other; please specify) 3.2. Is the training programme recognized nationally, regionally or
locally? 3.3. Are the students who complete the training programme awarded a
diploma, degree or certificate of competence of some kind? |
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4.1. What kind of arrangements/strategies for continuing education in
cytology exist in your country? 4.2.What is the approximate number of Cytotechnologists who take the exam
of the International Academy of Cytology (IAC) or the QUATE Aptitude Test? 4.3. Would the
Eurocytology Website electronic platform be a useful learning tool in your
country? |
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Thank you!
Please return the
questionnaire to Dorthe Ejersbo as soon as possible.
Dorthe Ejersbo
EACC Secretary
Department of Clincal Pathology
Winslřwparken 15
DK-5000
E-mail: dorthe.ejersbo@ouh.fyns-amt.dk
Tel: +45 65 41 18
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NL |
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2.3.2. Which subjects are included
in the curriculum? |
2) |
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1) |
2) |
3) |
4) |
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The Baltics |
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9) |
7) |
8) |
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1) |
? |
5) |
6) |
4) |
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NL |
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2.4. Is the training given by
instructors at the workplace? |
yes |
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yes |
yes |
Some do |
combinations |
yes |
partly |
yes |
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The Baltics |
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Canadian lecturer
in CT and instructors |
Both university
lecturers and instructors |
yes |
yes |
yes |
partly |
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During the course |
combinations |
1) Hungary and Finland: anatomy, gen.pathology,
microbiology, gen.cytomorhology, cervical/FNA
cytology, organization of lab., basics of informatics, methodology (incl.
staining, clerical work, storing etc) special techniques (immunocytochemistry,
molecular methods), basics of quality control.
2)
3) The
4) Flemish post
graduate training course and
5)
2) Biomedical Scientists – degree
level entry (BSc in Biomedical Sciences) and then specialist training in both gynae and
diagnostic cytology
in-house
6)
7)
methods in
cytology and 10 point project.
8) The
foreign
language, general cytology (normal and Cytopathology, organ and tissue oriented
cytology), histology
9)
preparation techniques in
cytology, QA/QC, practical screening (2 000 smears in 6 months)
2)
Attendance at an
external update every 2-3 years is recommended. We have an annual
scientific
conference which usually includes a half day workshop, and we participate
in EQA.
3)
courses,
continuing educational courses (gyn.cytology)
administred by the
4) The
yearly in most of
the regions. National: every year 2
times 1 day and almost yearly a
1 or 2 day course
on a special topic.
5)
year. CT’s are also invited to participate in slide seminar sessions.
6) The
CAP PAP Assurance
Programme
7)
8)
Summary
of findings
The questionnaire was circulated initially to the named contacts in 23 countries .The first time there were responsed from 14 countries. The questionnaire and responses was circulated again to all contacts in 23 countries for comment. This encouraged three more countries to reply . Thus 17 countries responded in all .
The accuracy of the
responses is limited by the competency of the individual respondents in the
English language and the wide diversity of training and education in cytotechnology
in
The database shows that the number of cytotechnologists in training exceeds 4000. The level of training varies considerably between the different countries from high school level to BSc or MSc level. Eleven countries report that they have cytotechnologists rworking on the advanced level C (can report normal and abnormal smears .) This probably reflects the difference in reporting practice in the individual laboratories /countries more than the actual level of eduction or training. The respondents seem to have access to the internet and would see the Eurcytology website as a useful learning tool.
Professor Reidun Mecsei (
Chairman, European Advisory Committee for
Cytology
Ms Dorthe Ejersbo (
Secretary, European Advisory Committee for
Cytology