EXAMINATIONS
EBCTS EXAMINATIONS 2017 ONWARDS
The European Board of Cardiothoracic Surgery now delivers two examinations - Membership of the European Board of Cardiothoracic Surgery (MEBCTS) and Fellowship of the European Board of Cardiothoracic Surgery (FEBCTS).
This is in order to reflect the need for all cardiothoracic surgeons to have a satisfactory level of knowledge and judgement in the generality of the specialty and also that many surgeons go on to work in and develop expertise in sub-specialty areas for which a suitable qualification should be available in Europe and beyond.
The Membership of the European Board of Cardiothoracic Surgery (MEBCTS): tests the scope of knowledge, clinical judgement and application of the principles and practice of surgery to the standard expected at the end of National training in the generality of cardiothoracic surgery, ready to commence as an independent specialist. An example of this is the Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) level in the UK.
The Fellowship of the European Board of Cardiothoracic Surgery (FEBCTS): tests the scope of knowledge, clinical judgement and application of the principles and practice of an autonomous/independently practising surgeon to the standard expected in one or more areas of established specialist practice (adult cardiac surgery; thoracic surgery; congenital cardiac surgery alone or in combination). This surgeon will have been in independent specialist practice for a minimum of 2 years and would be expected to be independently ‘emergency safe’ in their areas of specialist practice.
What to expect
LEVEL ONE - MEBCTS
The Membership examination will assess the Level One outcomes within the General and chosen sub-specialty area (adult cardiac & congenital surgery; thoracic surgery) of the syllabus and is an MCQ examination consisting of a 4 hour, 180 question paper. The examinations will take place at Test Centres across Europe (other venues will be according to demand and availability).
This examination will be quality assured using standard set questions and passmark.
Successful candidates will be awarded Membership of the European Board of Cardiothoracic Surgery (MEBCTS).
LEVEL TWO - FEBCTS
The Fellowship examination will assess all the Level One outcomes across the relevant sub-specialties of the syllabus in addition to the Level Two outcomes within the General and chosen sub-specialty area (adult cardiac surgery; thoracic surgery; congenital cardiac surgery) of the syllabus. This examination will comprise of multiple structured vivas/oral examination with pairs of examiners and will be in-person.
Candidates may elect to take one or more sub-specialty examination (Adult Cardiac, Congenital or Thoracic surgery).
Successful candidates will be awarded Fellowship of the European Board of Cardiothoracic Surgery (sub-specialty) i.e. FEBCTS (Thoracic); FEBCTS (Cardiac); FEBCTS (Congenital).
Certificates
Certificates will be awarded by the European Board of Cardiothoracic Surgery with recognition by the European Association of Cardiothoracic Surgery and the Union of European Medical Specialties (UEMS)
1987-2016
Previous variants of the European Board exam are the equivalent to the current Level 2 (FEBCTS) examination.
1986-2012 – European Board of Thoracic & Cardiovascular Surgeons – FEBTCS
2013-2016 – European Board of Cardiothoracic Surgery – FEBCTS
EBCTS is not a regulatory or standards setting body and EBCTS certification is only a confirmation that a surgeon has passed a particular exam or reached a certain standard. EBCTS certification does not supersede the responsibilities of local, national, or wider formal professional assessment of 'fit for practice' accreditation