Medical Oncology recognized at EU level*

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Geachte Collega,



Ter informatie zenden we u bijgevoegd persbericht vanwege de ESMO door.



met collegiale groeten,

het ASGB-bestuur

Medical Oncology recognized at EU level to allow free movement of doctors



For the sake of better cancer care in Europe



Dear members of the ESMO Community,



It gives us great pleasure to inform you that today the European Commission announced that medical oncology has now been included among the medical specialties covered by Directive 2005/36/EC on the recognition of professional qualifications. The decision was taken after several years of intense discussion between ESMO, key national societies and EU Member States.



"This is an important step towards better cancer care in Europe," said ESMO President Prof David Kerr. The inclusion of medical oncology in the Directive will improve the mobility of medical oncologists in Europe, with professional qualifications being 'automatically recognized' amongst participating EU Member States. "In light of the increasingly important role played by medical oncologists in the comprehensive management of cancer patients, free movement of medical oncologists will be beneficial to address the growing cancer burden, allowing to cope with potential labour shortages more promptly." Prof Kerr added.



This decision will have a positive impact especially on our young medical oncologists looking for stimulating and exciting opportunities abroad, in both the research and the clinical sectors, allowing them to become more competitive and to operate in a more stimulating context, without being hindered by burocratic barriers.



"Demographic trends will provoke a shortage of medical oncologists in cancer care," noted Dr Paolo Casali, ESMO Public Affairs Chair. "It was ESMO's duty to work for a more uniform and harmonized European setting, where cancer patients can benefit from the professionalism of medical oncologists irrespective of where they live.”



Our thanks go out to the medical oncology community who have been hugely supportive of our work these last few years and in particular to those of you who have actively contributed to the achievement of these results – Thank you!



Kind regards,



The European Society for Medical Oncology