Core curriculum of shoulder and elbow surgery: the proposal from the European Society for Surgery of the Shoulder and Elbow

Background

Subspecialization in orthopedic surgery has become the standard approach due to the expanding body of medical knowledge. Shoulder and elbow surgery is a growing subspecialty, but it still faces challenges with undefined training standards, unclear competency levels, and a lack of delineated professional responsibilities. To address this, the European Society for Surgery of the Shoulder and Elbow-societe european chirurgie epaule et coude (ESSSE-SECEC) aims to create a core curriculum (CC) to standardize knowledge and skills within this field.

Methods

The ESSSE-SECEC Qualification Committee developed a CC through a task force established in 2022. The curriculum is divided into 2 major sections, shoulder and elbow, further categorized into 5 areas: Basic Science, Diagnosis, Pathology, Nonoperative Treatment, and Surgical Treatment. The content was developed, reviewed, and approved by leading experts within the Society.

Results

The CC contains 72 headings and 259 specific subjects, encompassing key areas of knowledge, practical skills, and behavioral attitudes necessary for competence in shoulder and elbow surgery, offering a detailed framework for the subspecialty.

Conclusion

The ESSSE-SECEC CC establishes a foundational standard for shoulder and elbow surgeons. It provides a clear framework for knowledge and competency, supporting the future development of training and assessment tools within the subspecialty. Additionally, it aims to solidify the subspecialty’s identity and serve as a key tool for competency assessments within ESSSE-SECEC and beyond.