The Future of Vascular Medicine in Europe - Insights from the ESVM Survey on Training Experiences and Career Perspectives.

Background: Vascular medicine/angiology plays a crucial role in managing vascular diseases, yet its recognition, training, and practice vary across Europe. To understand these disparities, the European Society for Vascular Medicine (ESVM) conducted a survey among young trainees to assess their attitudes and perception towards vascular medicine training. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was distributed among trainees and young specialists from European countries, including nations with and without vascular medicine as a recognized specialty. The survey was published on the ESVM website and shared through national vascular medicine societies. Participants provided insights into their training experiences, opinions of the specialty, and priorities for improvement. Statistical analysis compared responses based on specialty recognition. Findings: Among 210 respondents, 36.2% (n=76) were from countries without formal specialty recognition. Training was more structured in countries with a recognized specialty (p<.001). Multidisciplinary team meetings were deemed critical by 98.1% but were more common in countries with a recognized specialty (p=.003). Overall, 80.5% (n=169) expressed interest in training abroad. Core vascular domains were well-covered, while areas like lymphatic and microvascular diseases lacked sufficient training both in countries where the specialty was recognized and where it was not. Respondents from countries with a recognized specialty rated their training significantly higher (p=.001). Despite challenges, 85.2% (n=179) would choose the specialty again, and 90.4% (n=190) supported a unified European certification. Interpretation: These findings highlight the need for a harmonized training framework in Europe ensuring a shared foundational curriculum in vascular medicine while enhancing professional mobility and improving patient care across the whole spectrum of vascular diseases.