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!