0. Viviane Bremer, EPIET Chief Coordinator
The EPIET programme
Viviane Bremer, EPIET Chief Coordinator

1. Training programmes based at ECDC
Two pathways
European Programme for Intervention Epidemiology Training (EPIET)
European Public Health Microbiology Training (EUPHEM)
Two tracks
EU-track: Training in different country than country of origin
MS-track: Training in own country

2. EPIET staff Scientific Coordinators 5.5 FTE Support from PAE
Viviane Bremer, chief coordinator, ECDC (100%)
Marion Muehlen, ECDC (100%)
Alicia Barrasa, Madrid (100%)
Biagio Pedalino, Paris (100%)
Ioannis Karagiannis, Berlin (100%)
Helen Maguire, London (50%)
Support from PAE
Katharina Alpers, Berlin (100%)
Manuel Dehnert as statistician
Administration
2.3 FTE logistical support

3. EPIET programme Programme started 1996 Objectives
Funded by ECDC/EU Member States
Objectives
Strengthen CD surveillance & control in EU
Develop a European network of intervention epidemiologists
Training fellows and externals together
Training of trainers
Sustaining and strengthening a network of training sites
Develop a response capacity inside & beyond EU
surveillance
outbreak investigations
applied research
The objective of EPIET are to:
Strengthen CD surveillance
Develop European network of intervention epidemiologists
Develop European response capacity
Surveillance
Outbreak investigations
Applied research
Contribute to development of Network for the surveillance and control of CD

4. Training objectives for the fellows
Investigate outbreaks
Plan, implement, or evaluate a surveillance system
Develop a research project on a relevant public health issue
Gain acquaintance with laboratory techniques
Present and publish the results of their work to the scientific community
Teach epidemiology to public health professionals

5. Training format Theoretical training
An introductory course (3 weeks), open to external participants
Seven one-week training modules rotating in EU Member States
Learning by doing practical training
23 months
At a European public health institute
national
regional
On site supervision by senior epidemiologists and EPIET coordinators

6. Time frame per cohort Cohort 15 Cohort 16 Cohort 17 Sept 09 Sept 11
18 fellows in EPIET EU Track
4 fellows in EUPHEM
10 fellows in MS track 6

7. Selection process EU-track
1st stage
Check eligibility (ECDC)
MS rank 2 best candidates
ECDC Selection Panel goes through all applications and selects eligible candidates
2nd stage
Candidates choose preferred training sites
Face to face interview with ECDC selection panel
3rd stage
Training site market
Interviews with training sites
4th stage
Final selection meeting between panel and host site representatives and placement of candidates 7

8. Selection MS-track Criteria for MS Criteria for fellows
Number of EPIET alumni in the active public health workforce of the MS:
None = 2 points; 1 or 2 = 1 point; 3 or more = 0 points
MS with acknowledged EPIET or national FETP training site within the past 4 cohorts:
No training site= 2 points; training site 1 fellow trained= 1 point; site with ≥2 fellows trained= 0 points;
Number of fellows from the MS who graduated from an EPIET/FETP programme in the past:
None = 2 points; 1-4 = 1 point; 5 or more = 0 points
Criteria for fellows
Same as EU-track
Selection done by MS

9. Practical Training – current training sites
Host sites increased from 15 to 30 between 2002 and 2010
13 regional sites
Helsinki
Stockholm
Oslo
ECDC
Belfast
Copenhagen
Glasgow
Dublin
Bilthoven
Cardiff
Berlin
Gloucester
Warsaw
Brussels
London (3x)
Hannover
Dillenburg
Paris (2x)
Martinique
Landau
Budapest
Stuttgart
Munich
Vienna
Available host sites
Increased from 15 to 30 between 2002 and 2009
12 are regional sites
Lyon
Ljubljana
Marseille
Rome
Madrid
Lisbon 9

10. Introductory course Since 2004 in Menorca
Lectures from field epidemiologists
Introduction to microbiology
Interactive case studies based on real investigations
Development of a study protocol based on real PH issue
Surveillance exercise
Communication exercises
Since 2004 in Menorca

11. Modules Compulsory Optional In addition Introductory course
Computer tools in outbreak investigations
Vaccinology
Multivariable analysis
Sampling techniques
Project review (2x)
Optional
Time Series Analysis
Rapid assessment of complex emergency situations
In addition
Introduction to the laboratories (organized locally)

12. Choice of modules Skills assessment form at start of training
Discussed with host site supervisor and EPIET coordinators
Depending on
Previous skills
Local training opportunities
Future needs 12

13. Tracks and associated programmes
EPIET / EUPHEM
EU-track
MS-track
EPIET associated
national FETP
Fellow
location
recruitment
& Salary costs
Training Modules
Organisation & costs
Scientific
Coordination
Moving to MS
Staying in home MS
Member
States
ECDC
Supervision
In Other MS
ECDC
ECDC
On Site
On Site
On Site
Financed by ECDC 3

14. What is the role of coordinators?
Overall responsible for training
Organise training modules / courses
Revise teaching content in agreement with EPIET Traning Site Forum
Training sites
Identify and appraise new training sites
Regularly evaluate existing training sites
Supervisors
Identify training needs for supervisors
Advise supervisors on questions
Fellows
Review all work of fellows
Make sure that training goes smoothly
Supervise international missions
Ensure smooth administrative processes 14

15. Supervision of fellows
Supervision on site
At least 1 senior epidemiologist
On average 4 hours/week
Draft protocols/reports/manuscripts sent to all coordinators
Viadesk as virtual office/Extranet as of 1st April 2011
Final work uploaded on virtual office 15

16. Scientific Conference
ESCAIDE
co-organized by ECDC, EPIET, EAN, TEPHINET-Euro
Slots for EPIET fellows
EPIET fellows, alumni, FETPs Europe, supervisors and colleagues from training sites
EPIET Fellows prepared by “project review” module
TEPHINET conference
Global conference biannually
EIS International night

17. Output of EPIET 1995-2010 Cohort 1-15: Network of trainers
176 fellows trained in EPIET
63 fellows trained in EPIET-associated programmes
177/185 (96%) graduated (diploma)
Network of trainers
Facilitation at modules
EPIET training site forum

18. Challenges Size of cohorts MS-track Number of modules
Number of facilitators needed
Logistics
Quality of teaching
MS-track
In sites that may not be ideal
Requires intensive support
Protected time for fellows

19. Thank you!