Aims and Challenges of Building National Trainee Networks in Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Disease Disciplines

Abstract

Trainees represent the medical practice of tomorrow. Interactions and collaborations at the early stage in career will strengthen the future of our specialties, clinical microbiology and infectious diseases. Trainee networks at the national level help access the best education and career opportunities. The aim of this collaborative white paper between the Trainee Association of European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ESCMID) and four national trainee networks is to discuss the motivation for building such networks and offer guidance for their creation and sustainability even during a health crisis.

Role and Perception of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases Trainees During the COVID-19 Crisis

“…The results of this study may not be representative of all CM and ID trainees in Europe, as several large European countries (e.g., Germany, Italy and Turkey) were clearly under-represented [ 8 ]. Another limitation is the difficulty of estimating the response percentage of this survey, given that the survey was promoted through the TAE website, social media accounts and TAE newsletters, which did not allow for an accurate assessment of the number of potential responders.…”

“…The survey was distributed online from 4 September 2020 to 6 December 2020 among CM and ID trainees in Europe using the TAE communication network, which included representatives of CM and ID national societies from 37 out of 58 (64%) European countries [ 8 ]. The survey was also promoted through the TAE website ( www.escmid.org/tae ), social media accounts, TAE newsletter and the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases monthly newsletters, received by more than 25,000 professionals.…”

The future of training in intensive care medicine: A European perspective

“…Networking is defined as the process of interacting with peers, experts, and faculty members to exchange information and develop professional and social contacts. [85] Recent studies evaluated international networks using standardized frameworks for data quality. [86] , [87] Trainee networks may facilitate the spread of knowledge and enable communication among experts.…”

Future developments in training

“…Networking is commonly overlooked as an extracurricular activity, but is important regardless of the chosen career path in CM and ID. It is defined as ‘the process of interacting with peers, experts and faculty members to exchange information and develop professional and social contacts’ [61] . Trainee networks may initiate research collaborations and information exchange, and can facilitate access to experts in other centres, ultimately improving patient care.…”

“…This has led to webinars, workshops, mentee-programmes, educational exchange and platforms to connect across the country in informal settings. These networks can be used to promote trainee-mobility, and help trainees to diversify and complement the training they receive [61] . For example, the French CM trainee network (ReJMiC) created an open-access archive with information on every clinical mycology and parasitology internship in France.…”