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

Questionaire

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? 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) 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?  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? Thank you! Please return the questionnaire to Dorthe Ejersbo as soon as possible. Dorthe Ejersbo EACC Secretary Department of Clincal Pathology Winsløwparken 15 DK-5000 Odense C Denmark E-mail: dorthe.ejersbo@ouh.fyns-amt.dk Tel: +45 65 41 18 29

Results

Twenty six people from twenty two countries were contacted by e-mail. Responses were received from 17 countries. There was no response from Slovenia, Czech Republic, Spain, Germany and Albania. Latvia replied on behalf of the baltic community.

Contact persons

Results sheet

 

 

 

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. Norway and Austria: Gyn., respiratory -, urine system, serous effusions The Netherlands: Gynecology (cervical smears) and non-gynaecology (a.o. lung, serous effusions, urine, FNA cytology from thyroid, salivary glands, lymph nodes etc.) FNA only on high laboratory level. Flemish post graduate training course and France: theoretical and practical training in gyne. and non-gyne. cytopathology, staining processing, special techniques, immunocytochemistry etc. UK: Cytology screeners – high school education and the in-house two year training programme in gynaecological cytology. Biomedical Scientists – degree level entry (BSc in Biomedical Sciences) and then specialist training in both gynae and diagnostic cytology in-house Poland: general anatomy, histology and cytology, organ and tissue oriented cytology Sweden: Biology of disease, gynaecological cytology, diagnostic cytology of the respiratory tract, urinary tract, serous fluids and advanced methods in cytology and 10 point project. The Baltic states: anatomy, physiology, microbiology, haematology, clinical chemistry, coaguolagy, basic of informatics, organization of lab, foreign language, general cytology (normal and Cytopathology, organ and tissue oriented cytology), histology. Slovenia: Principles of cytology, basic introduction to pathology, anatomy, physiology, histology, cytology of the female genital tract, preparation techniques in cytology, QA/QC, practical screening (2 000 smears in 6 months)

 

 

 

Denmark: We have just started Danish Association of Cytology in order to establish some sort of national continuing education in cytology. We have an annual meeting of cytology on a Saturday, where nearly every CT in Denmark participates. Some larder departments occasionally arrange local one-day or half-day cytology courses in non-gyne. topics.Ireland: We use UK training schools for updates. An update is usually 3-5 days. 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. Ireland: We use UK training schools for updates. An update is usually 3-5 days. 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. Norway: Annual course (Norwegian Association of Clinical Cytology), regional courses, continuing educational courses (gyn.cytology) administred by the University College of Trondheim. The Netherlands: Local: on the hospital laboratories. Regional: for cervical cytology: 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. Belgium: Continuing education is assured by the BSCC who organizes two meetings a year. CT’s are also invited to participate in slide seminar sessions. Slovakia: workshops, slide seminars, teaching places, teaching courses, innovation courses, lectures on Slovak Days of Cytology UK: Professional bodies organise CPD schemes.

 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 Europe .

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  (Norway)
Chairman, European Advisory Committee for Cytology   September 30, 2006

Ms Dorthe Ejersbo (Denmark)
Secretary, European Advisory Committee for Cytology   September 30, 2006