The Monza Medical School of the University of Milano-Bicocca, in accordance with the Post Graduate Medical Education (PGME) Programmes, is pleased to announce that it has established the Hands on Course on Basic & Advanced Vascular & Endovascular Techniques – CAVEAT which is starting this year 2010/2011.

This initiative is in line with the intentions of the University, which is to organize and promote courses with the purpose of high specialization and level of education, according to Articles 3 and 7 (sections 8 and 4 respectively) of the Ministry of Education, formulated on the 3rd November 1999, N° 509 Regulations on the Didactic Independence of Universities, published on the Official Gazette N° 2 of 4 January 2000.  This is also in line with the spirit of 'Messages and Themes of the European Commission' and in particular, following a proposition contained in the document entitled 'Life-long Learning', approved at the General Assembly of Council of the Italian Universities (CRUI) held on the 21st June 2001.

Endovascular procedures are mostly performed by vascular surgeons, interventional radiologists and cardiologists.  In the interest of the patient it would be preferable, in order to maintain the 'gold-standard', that at least two or more of the above-mentioned specialists be present and consulted in each centre where endovascular procedures are carried out. This situation may not always be possible and could cause conflict among colleagues of an endovascular team, since it is quite clear that only one person can be considered ultimately responsible at a time for each procedure.

On the basis of this consideration the educational objectives of the Course in Monza (following the structure of the MET – Master in Endovascular Techniques of the University Milano-Bicocca) are to give the opportunity to trainees to be tutored in open vascular procedures by interventional radiologists and cardiologists, as well as vascular surgeons. 

During the CAVEAT the Trainee Should:

•  Learn how to diagnose and judge in patient selection.

•  Learn how to find the solution to vascular problems in the most efficient, durable and less invasive manner possible.

•  Be in a position to handle procedures, foreseeing, avoiding or resolving any eventual complications that may arise.

Job Description:

This Course provides tutoring in Vascular Surgery, Interventional Radiology and Interventional Cardiology.  The Course covers the arterial vascular districts (sovra-aortic trunks, abdominal and thoracic aortic, visceral arteries and pelvic limbs).  Trainees are expected to attend full-time the operating rooms, radiology and cardiology suites.

Outline of Weekly Schedule:

Half days in operating room:   3
Half days in endovascular suite/interventional radiology:   2
Half days in outpatient /consultation:   5

Ninety percent (90%) of the time should be spent dealing directly with patients at bed-side, in the operating room in the radiology and cardiology suites and the remaining 10% should be dedicated to lectures, seminars and conferences.

A Faculty of Milan Bicocca University Lecturers (Internal Members) and experts in the field of diagnosis, indication and catheter derived procedures practice, from other Italian and non-Italian Institutions (External Members), has been constituted for this purpose. These tutors participate in the didactic programme of the Master, with seminars, traditional lectures, master-classes and workshops, etc.

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The CAVEAT educational programme covers a period of 3 months, starting each year in January, April and September.  Trainees are required to attend full-time the San Gerardo Hospital in Monza for a total of 276 hours, comprehensive of clinical practice, seminars, master classes, interactive lectures, workshops and courses with live case demonstrations from a Faculty and finally, individual study. The minimum attendance has been established at 75% of the total hours required.  The trainees have to fill-in their activities in their trainee book on a daily basis, which need to be certified by the tutor.  Upon successful completion of their certified training period, the trainee will receive official certification, awarded by the University of Milano-Bicocca and a total of 22 university credit points will be assigned.

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Center of Excellence of the Course

Department of Vascular Surgery, San Gerardo University Hospital, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza (Head,  Giorgio M. Biasi, MD)

Official Language

The official languages of the CAVEAT are English and Italian.

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ADMISSION CRITERIA

Participation in the Specialization Course is open to: Doctors with MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery) Diploma who have completed their training in Vascular Surgery, Cardiology, Radiology, Cardiac-Surgery or those who are in possession of certificates of completion of their training periods in these specialties for the countries where such specialties do not exist and that might be of interest to the Co-Ordinator Committee of the Specialization Course. Please note that MBBS plus FRCS or GMC are not sufficients for enrolment.

APPLICATION

For information on the training programmes and for the application forms, interested candidates should please visit the website of the University of Milano-Bicocca at www.unimib.it or inquire directly to the Scientific Secretariat, co-ordination and administration office:

Department of Surgical Sciences
Università degli Studi di Milano-Bicocca
c/o: Vascular Surgery Unit, 10th Floor, Sector B, San Gerardo University Hospital
Via G.B. Pergolesi, 33 – 20052 Monza (MB) - Italy
Tel:+39.039.367021– Fax: +39.039.2301454
e-mail: segreteriachirurgiavascolare@unimib.it web site: www.unimib.it

REGISTRATION FEE

The registration fee is € 2,500.00 and for ISVS Members €2,000.00 excluding travel and accommodation.

All participants are covered by an insurance, which will allow them to undertake surgical procedures under the supervision of staff members of the relative hospital.  These rules apply to European and Non-European applicants.

For ISVS Members, please contact:

Pauline T. Mayer, ISVS Executive Director:  www.isvs.com,  e-mail: isvs@isvs.com