The EPIET programme
Viviane Bremer, EPIET Chief Coordinator
Training programmes based at ECDC• Two pathways
European Programme for Intervention Epidemiology Training (EPIET)
European Public Health Microbiology Training (EUPHEM)
• Two tracks EU-track: Training in different country than country
of origin MS-track: Training in own country
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EPIET staff
• Scientific Coordinators 5.5 FTE Viviane Bremer, chief coordinator, ECDC (100%) Marion Muehlen, ECDC (100%) Alicia Barrasa, Madrid (100%) Biagio Pedalino, Paris (100%) Ioannis Karagiannis, Berlin (100%) Helen Maguire, London (50%)• Support from PAE Katharina Alpers, Berlin (100%) Manuel Dehnert as statistician
• Administration 2.3 FTE logistical support
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EPIET programme
• Programme started 1996 Funded by ECDC/EU Member States
• Objectives Strengthen CD surveillance & control in EU Develop a European network of intervention epidemiologists
• Training fellows and externals together• Training of trainers• Sustaining and strengthening a network of training sites
Develop a response capacity inside & beyond EU• surveillance
• outbreak investigations
• applied research
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Training objectives for the fellows
• Investigate outbreaks
• Plan, implement, or evaluate a surveillance system
• Develop a research project on a relevant public health issue
• Gain acquaintance with laboratory techniques
• Present and publish the results of their work to the scientific community
• Teach epidemiology to public health professionals
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Training format
• Theoretical training An introductory course (3 weeks), open to
external participants Seven one-week training modules rotating in
EU Member States
• Learning by doing practical training 23 months At a European public health institute
• national• regional
On site supervision by senior epidemiologists and EPIET coordinators
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Time frame per cohort
Sept 13
Cohort 17
Sept 11
Cohort 15 Sept 09 Sept 11
Cohort 16Sept 10 Sept 12
•18 fellows in EPIET EU Track• 4 fellows in EUPHEM•10 fellows in MS track
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Selection process EU-track
• 1st stage Check eligibility (ECDC) MS rank 2 best candidates ECDC Selection Panel goes through all applications and
selects eligible candidates
• 2nd stage Candidates choose preferred training sites Face to face interview with ECDC selection panel
• 3rd stage Training site market Interviews with training sites
• 4th stage Final selection meeting between panel and host site
representatives and placement of candidates
Selection MS-track
Criteria for MS1. Number of EPIET alumni in the active public health
workforce of the MS:None = 2 points; 1 or 2 = 1 point; 3 or more = 0 points
2. MS with acknowledged EPIET or national FETP training site within the past 4 cohorts:
No training site= 2 points; training site 1 fellow trained= 1 point; site with ≥2 fellows trained= 0 points;
3. Number of fellows from the MS who graduated from an EPIET/FETP programme in the past:None = 2 points; 1-4 = 1 point; 5 or more = 0 points
Criteria for fellows• Same as EU-track• Selection done by MS
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London (3x)
Lisbon
Madrid
WarsawBerlin
Copenhagen
Helsinki
OsloStockholm
Glasgow
Gloucester
Belfast
Cardiff
Paris (2x)
Stuttgart
Rome
Ljubljana
Vienna
Marseille
Martinique
Munich
HannoverBrussels
Bilthoven
Landau
Dublin
Practical Training – current training
sites Host sites increased from 15 to 30 between 2002 and 2010
13 regional sites
Lyon
Budapest
ECDC
Dillenburg
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Introductory course
• Lectures from field epidemiologists
• Introduction to microbiology
• Interactive case studies based on real investigations
• Development of a study protocol based on real PH issue
• Surveillance exercise• Communication exercises
Since 2004 in Menorca
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Modules
• Compulsory Introductory course Computer tools in outbreak investigations Vaccinology Multivariable analysis Sampling techniques Project review (2x)
• Optional Time Series Analysis Rapid assessment of complex emergency situations
• In addition Introduction to the laboratories (organized locally)
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Choice of modules
• Skills assessment form at start of trainingDiscussed with host site supervisor and
EPIET coordinators
• Depending onPrevious skillsLocal training opportunitiesFuture needs
Tracks and associated programmes
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EPIET / EUPHEM
EU-track
EPIET / EUPHEM
MS-track
EPIET associated
national FETP
Fellow
location
Fellow
recruitment
& Salary costs
Training Modules
Organisation & costs
Scientific
Coordination
Moving to MS
Staying in home
MS
Member
States
Member
States
Member
States
ECDCECDC
Supervision
In Other MSIn Other MSOn Site
On Site
On Site
Financed by ECDCFinanced by ECDC
ECDCECDC ECDCECDC
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What is the role of coordinators?
• Overall responsible for training Organise training modules / courses Revise teaching content in agreement with EPIET
Traning Site Forum• Training sites
Identify and appraise new training sites Regularly evaluate existing training sites
• Supervisors Identify training needs for supervisors Advise supervisors on questions
• Fellows Review all work of fellows Make sure that training goes smoothly Supervise international missions Ensure smooth administrative processes
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Supervision of fellows
• Supervision on site • At least 1 senior epidemiologist • On average 4 hours/week• Draft protocols/reports/manuscripts sent
to all coordinators• Viadesk as virtual office/Extranet as of 1st
April 2011• Final work uploaded on virtual office
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Scientific Conference
• ESCAIDE co-organized by ECDC, EPIET, EAN, TEPHINET-Euro
• Slots for EPIET fellows• EPIET fellows, alumni, FETPs Europe, supervisors
and colleagues from training sites EPIET Fellows prepared by “project review” module
• TEPHINET conference Global conference biannually EIS International night
Output of EPIET 1995-2010
• Cohort 1-15: 176 fellows trained in EPIET
63 fellows trained in EPIET-associated programmes
177/185 (96%) graduated (diploma)
• Network of trainers Facilitation at modules
EPIET training site forum
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Challenges
• Size of cohortsNumber of modulesNumber of facilitators neededLogisticsQuality of teaching
• MS-track In sites that may not be idealRequires intensive supportProtected time for fellows
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Thank you!