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CESMA
Council of European Specialist Medical Assessment

Established in 2007, the Council of European Specialist Medical Assessment (CESMA) serves as an advisory body to the Union Européenne des Médecins Spécialistes (UEMS). Originally known as the "Glasgow group," CESMA was conceived during its inaugural meeting held in Glasgow. Subsequently, it transitioned to the Council of European Specialist Medical Examinations (CESME) before settling on its current designation, CESMA.

CESMA's main roleCESMA's scopeCESMA's appraisalsBackground information on CESMA and European ExaminationsUEMS-CESMA GuidelinesCESMA Meetings

CESMA's main role

CESMA's primary objective is to offer recommendations and guidance regarding the organisation of European examinations for medical specialists at the continental level. Its pivotal role encompasses:

  • promoting the harmonisation of European Board assessments, 
  • providing operational directives to the European Boards on assessment procedures, 
  • advocating for the widespread adoption of European Board assessments as a hallmark of quality, 
  • and facilitating an alternative to national assessments where deemed appropriate.

Notably, CESMA formulated the "Glasgow Declaration" during its inception in Glasgow, which delineates the fundamental principles governing European Examinations. This declaration received endorsement from several UEMS Specialist Sections, including Neurosurgery, Nuclear Medicine, Orthopaedics and traumatology, Paediatric Surgery, Pathology, Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Pneumology, Urology, and Vascular Surgery.

CESMA's scope


Since its inception, the scope of UEMS European examinations has expanded significantly. In 1984, the first European Diploma Examination, specifically the European Diploma of Anaesthesiology (EDA), was introduced. Today, more than 30 disciplines, ranging from allergology and clinical immunology to vascular surgery, have European examinations under the auspices of UEMS.

While European examinations organised under UEMS are not considered formal qualifications per se, their stature and recognition have experienced notable growth over the years. 
Consequently, some countries now acknowledge European examinations as integral components of their national examination frameworks, further underscoring the significance and impact of CESMA's initiatives and contributions.

CESMA's appraisals


In line with the principles described in the guideline for the organisation of European Postgraduate medical assessement, the Council for European Specialist Medical Assessments (UEMS-CESMA) aims to stimulate the Boards and Sections responsible for organising the different European postgraduate medical examinations to apply for UEMS-CESMA appraisal.

This external auditing system of the assessment does, in parallel with the internal quality management system, contribute to the continuous quality improvement programme of the examinations.

The list of appraised examinations is available here. Interested to have your examination appraised? Please send us an email at secretariat@uems.eu  and coordination@uems.eu.

Background information on CESMA and European Examinations




UEMS-CESMA Guidelines



Guideline for CESMA Appraisal Report 2024: 

CESMA Meetings

Documents & presentations from CESMA meetings are available here.


Previous appraisals





 

CESMA 2024 Appraisal application form