Primary Certificate in Vascular Surgery is Watered Down, Says Head of International Vascular Surgery Body

New York (PRWeb) November 18, 2006 -- Sir Peter RF Bell, MD, President of the International Society for Vascular Surgery (ISVS) delivered a powerful and poignant speech today at the 33rd annual VEITHsymposium, a premier global Vascular Surgery conference, regarding the primary certificate for Vascular Surgery.    

Addressing a large international audience of vascular surgeons, industry and political leaders, Bell said the objectives of the ISVS remain the same -- that is to further the position of Vascular Surgery in the treatment of vascular disease on an international level. "Setting standards, by helping to access training while fostering an international brotherhood of vascular surgeons can collectively have enough political influence to sustain the specialty worldwide that will allow vascular surgeons to control our destiny," said Bell.    

Bell explained that in order to achieve these aims, Vascular Surgery must become a specialty in every country. In the United States and in the United Kingdom, it remains a poor cousin to other specialties as a sub specialty of General Surgery but in many other countries, Vascular Surgery is a separate and distinct specialty.    

Showing concern, Bell expressed that because Vascular Surgery remains a subspecialty of General Surgery, it will discourage young surgeons considering a career in Vascular Surgery. Other surgical specialties, such as Urology, Orthopaedics, Cardiac Surgery, Ophthalmology, etc. have their own board that allows each surgical specialty the right to control training and certification.    

The Great Divide: Elevating his voice Bell said, "The Society for Vascular Surgery (SVS) has inexplicably contributed to this situation through the creation of a primary certificate in Vascular Surgery. The question to ask is why have they done this and is this a way to move the specialty forward. In the absence of speciality status, it is a sort of half way house and better than nothing."

Bell chided that it is only acceptable if it is an evolutionary step on the path to a separate specialty status. Bell pointed out, "The SVS states, "The primary certificate eliminates the requirement for certification in General Surgery. One could say it is about time. However, it does not eliminate the need to undertake a great deal of unnecessary training which could be spent learning new endovascular surgical techniques." The SVS says that by reducing time spent on non-essential components of General Surgery rotations, the Primary Certificate can result in a shortened Vascular Surgery training period. Bell's response, "Trainees need more Vascular Surgery training, not less."

Freedom of Career Choice: Bell noted that the SVS statement that the primary certificate will bring more freedom of career choice to medical students and residents, who would be able to make the Vascular Surgery choice at various stages of training, during medical school, after several years of initial surgical training, or after completion of full General Surgery training, is a mish mash of bits and pieces making it impossible for trainees to work out or understand the role of Vascular Surgery. Bell continued to say that in a recent publication of the Annals of Vascular Surgery, the authors concluded that there is a large discrepancy between surgical and medical trainees' perception of Vascular Surgery. He added, "This is a confusing statement and no one really knows what Vascular Surgery is all about. Vascular Surgery is at a crossroads and needs a radical overhaul in training towards endovascular skills and unless this happens, it will shrink away to nothing. Only by becoming a true specialty and controlling its own destiny can it hasten the changes that are needed. The SVS as representatives of Vascular Surgery should be trying to do this rather than accept a watered down primary certificate which will achieve very little except make Vascular Surgery weaker and eventually extinct," concluded Bell.

Bell said that the ISVS would continue to be vocal on this issue and help where possible to make Vascular Surgery a specialty throughout the globe. In the UK the college of surgeons has accepted that Vascular Surgery has a justifiable case for becoming a specialty and the vascular society is negotiating an agreement to allow this to take place. In Europe specialty status has already been agreed.    

About the International Society for Vascular Surgery
The International Society for Vascular Surgery Mission is to promote Vascular Surgery as a distinct medical specialty worldwide through the dissemination of administrative, scientific, clinical knowledge and the creation of strategic alliances. To educate other healthcare professionals, government agencies and the general public concerning the unique services and valuable benefits provided by Vascular Surgery practitioners who are well trained and committed to the specialty in all its nuances. To identify and provide recognition to individuals who meet certain guidelines, which qualify them as, committed and accomplished vascular surgeons.

About VEITHsymposium™
Now entering its fourth decade, VEITHsymposium™ provides vascular surgeons, interventional radiologists, interventional cardiologists and other vascular specialists with a unique and exciting format to learn the most current information about what is new and important in the treatment of vascular disease. The 5-day event features 300 rapid-fire presentations from the world's most renowned vascular specialists with emphasis on the latest advances, changing concepts in diagnosis and management, pressing controversies and new techniques.

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