European School of Internal Medicine

History

The European School of Internal Medicine (ESIM) was founded in 1998 by Prof. Jaime Merino, with support from the Spanish Society of Internal Medicine. The primary goal was to provide high quality continuous medical education for young internists from our member societies. The second, and no less important, was to establish cultural and social links between residents training in Internal Medicine from all over Europe.

The summer School was held annually in Alicante, Spain (Director J Merino) until 2005, and has since moved to Portugal (2006-8; Dir. A Martins Baptista), UK (2009-11; Dir. C Davidson), Turkey (2012-13; Dir. E Akalin), and in 2014 will be held in Sardinia (Dir. N Montana). Because of the growing demand for places, a winter School was started in 2011 in Switzerland (2011-14; Dir. V Briner) and moves to Riga, Latvia in 2015.

The Schools are held over a five-day period in a single centre with appropriate facilities. The academic format has remained much the same since it began with interactive seminars, case presentations and workshops, with a social programme playing an important part with activities mid-week and in the evenings.

Young Internists who are towards the end of their training in Internal Medicine are selected and sponsored by their national societies to attend the School. There are usually 40 - 50 attendees at each School with 20 - 25 countries being represented. As a result of the School’s activities since 1998, nearly 1000 residents have passed through the European School and they now form the basis of the growing Young Internists network being developed by the Federation across Europe.

Application to Host the European School

EFIM Member countries can apply to host the School for a period of 2 years, which can be extended to a maximum of three.  Once each term is nearing completion, member Societies will be invited by the Executive to submit proposals to host the School; the requirements for the Host organisation including details of the facilities necessary can be read here.