TRAining Path for Phlebologists in Europe Erasmus Project

Project Title

TRAining Path for Phlebologists in Europe

Project Key Action

This project related with these key action: Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices

Project Action Type

This project related with this action type : Strategic Partnerships for vocational education and training

Project Call Year

This project’s Call Year is 2017

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: Health and wellbeing; Recognition, transparency, certification

Project Summary

The TRAPP project operated in the field of vocational education and training (VET), with a focus on phlebology, a specific discipline of the medical profession. The project started from the need of developing an EU level VET curriculum with harmonized training standards, qualifications, and accreditations. This depends on the fact that phlebology
which deals with the treatment of venous and lymphatic disorders, although it is fully recognised in practice, does not have specific specialization courses in most of the Member States. On the contrary, education and training in topics connected to phlebology are often included in courses that have a wider scope.

On the other hand, doctors specialized in various disciplines (such as dermatology, angiology, vascular, surgery, etc.) treat also patients affected by venous and lymphatic disorders. The need is becoming more urgent if we take into consideration that the incidence of these diseases in the EU is increasing dramatically. It is in fact estimated that in 2050 roughly 35% if the population will be affected, compared to the current incidence of 25%. This is the effect of the increased life expectancy and of obesity. Such widespread pathology is a heavy burden for society in terms of health care costs and of working hours lost. It must be considered that the treatment of venous and lymphatic disorders will affect more than 1% if the national health budgets in Europe. It is, therefore, evident that doctors specialised in other fields can not fully ensure the correct treatment of the patients, with all the related risks. While a general understanding of the problem exists in the scientific and medical community, a clear solution has not yet been proposed.

The TRAPP project has proposed to fill the existing gaps by delivering a VET model for practitioners in phlebology and a professional qualification framework to be adopted at the EU level, also in order to pave the way for the creation of a new ESCO profile in the field. This result led to a first agreement with the International Union of Angiology (UIA) for the recognition and certification of the skills and learning outcomes acquired by the doctors who participate in the TRAPP VET course.

The project achieved the following objectives:

– Definition of a common list of skills and qualifications to operate as a phlebologist, also in relation to the ESCO classification and the National Qualification Frameworks;
– Creation of the first European VET course in phlebology, which is composed of 13 modules;
– Increased digitalisation in education through the launch of an e-learning platform;
– First recognition and certification of the TRAPP course granted by the International Union of Angiology (IUA).

Three intellectual outputs were produced and delivered:

– O1: European VET curriculum in phlebology;
– O2: E-learning platform;
– O3: Training handbook.

In addition to that, a pilot VET course in phlebology was implemented in the e-learning platform. A total of 73 professional doctors from 4 countries (Italy, Greece, Portugal and Romania) completed the course.

The main impact attained in trained doctors s is their increased professional profile thanks to the acquisition and/or update of skills in 13 medical disciplines linked to phlebology.
This will allow primarily to treat their patients more effectively. Additionally, thanks to the use of the e-learning platform, they have increased their digital skills that are now a necessary knowledge in a digital economy and society.

The partners’ staff and trainers have enhanced their teaching competencies and professional profile, through the acquisition of new teaching skills in a digital environment. They have also received positive benefits from the exchange of practices and working moments in a multinational environment, which allowed them to enrich their teaching perspectives and to open up to better cooperation with doctors and professionals from other countries.

Policy-makers have received new findings and recommendations to be sued to feed policy reforms in the educational field by mainstreaming the new methodologies in future policy strategies and by introducing the phlebologist among the medical professions.

Hospitals can benefit from a higher number of skilled phlebologists. This shall ensure better treatment for their patients and contribute to increasing the number of patients who will use their services and facilities.

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 178984 Eur

Project Coordinator

SOCIETATEA ROMANA DE FLEBOLOGIE & Country: RO

Project Partners

• ELLINIKI ETAIREIA DERMATOXEIROURGIKIS
• European Health Chamber
• E.V.C. – Europe Vein Center, Lda
• ASSOCIAZIONE FLEBOLOGICA ITALIANA
• Europartners Srl
• REGISTRO EUROPEO DEI FLEBOLOGI
• PR.A.IT Soc. Coop.