Professional Growth
The ESAIC's mission is to promote and provide exceptional training and educational opportunities. The ESAIC ensures the delivery of robust and standardised examination and certification systems to support the professional development of anaesthesiologists, ensuring the development of outstanding future doctors in the fields of anaesthesiology and intensive care.
The ESAIC provides numerous educational opportunities for professionals in anaesthesia, intensive care, pain management, and emergency medicine. Each year, a diverse range of educational activities and formats are offered to help professionals advance their knowledge and skills. Many of these activities are accredited by the European Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (EACCME) and provide European CME credits for learners.
In 2024, several significant activities and achievements were made across these subcommittees, contributing to the overall educational strategy of ESAIC.
Education & Training
The ESAIC provides high-quality training and education
Attendance per session ranged from 468 to 783 attendees, with an average of 575 participants.
13 video podcasts and 7 audio-only podcasts
*members only
The ESAIC Academy is the Society’s online eLearning platform, offering access to webinar replays, eLearning modules, and courses anytime, anywhere. Users can track their progress through accredited content, available via web and mobile apps.
In 2024, the Academy recorded 59,500 accesses. Webinars received over 12,000 views, and since 2019, the eLearning modules have attracted 16,000 attendees. The eLearning committee continued to strengthen the integration of education into clinical practice through a diverse offering of webinars, quizzes, videocasts, and modules.
2024 marked the culmination of the Brain Health Learning Track, launched in 2023, which concluded with dedicated sessions and a workshop at EA24 in Munich.
ESAIC Academy
Focus Track on Brain Health
In the ever-evolving field of Anaesthesiology, the ESAIC has introduced Learning Tracks, a structured and innovative approach to continuous professional development. Launched in 2023 with the inaugural Focus Track on the Brain, this initiative marked a move away from traditional lecture-based education towards a more interactive and flexible learning model.
The Learning Tracks incorporate a range of formats, including webinars, podcasts and interactive quizzes, offering participants a comprehensive and engaging educational experience. The first track guided learners through the complexities of neurological topics in a format designed to improve knowledge retention and support practical application.
In 2024, the programme expanded significantly, offering multiple tracks tailored to different areas of interest and levels of expertise. Topics now include Anaphylaxis in Anaesthesia and Brain Death, among others, each providing a clearly defined learning path for both early-career and experienced professionals.
The continued development of Learning Tracks reflects ESAIC’s commitment to delivering modern, accessible and high-quality education that meets the evolving needs of the anaesthesiology community.
Pain Learning Track
(April)
Podcast: Focus on chronic postsurgical pain.
Webinar: Discuss pain management in opiate dependence patients undergoing surgery.
TryMe Quiz: Explore the physiology of pain.
Podcast: Delve into intraoperative pain monitoring.
Heart Learning Track
(May & October)
Webinar: Cardiogenic shock and cardiac arrest in the operating room.
Guidelines O’Clock: Explore the significance of cardiac biomarkers in perioperative risk evaluation.
Webinar: Anaesthesia considerations for high-risk cardiac patients.
Lung Learning Track
(June, July & August )
TryMe Quiz: Examine postoperative pulmonary complications.
Podcast: Discuss simplifying techniques for one-lung ventilation.
Webinar: Focus on the role of lung ultrasound in anaesthesia and critical care.
Haemodynamic Learning Track
(September)
TryMe Quiz: Investigate haemodynamic monitoring in ICU settings.
Webinar: Discuss non-invasive continuous haemodynamic monitoring during major surgery.
Podcast: Review key publications on haemodynamics.
Courses
In 2024, the ESAIC focused on restructuring the TTT course for re-launch in 2025:
- Hybrid approach with an online component (Part I – up to 60 participants) and a Face-to-Face component (Part II – up to 25 participants).
- Developed new course structure and learning material for the online component.
- Promoted TTT in Euroanaesthesia 2025 session: “Anaesthesiologists should be taught how to teach! Pro-con.”
Train the Trainer Course (TTT)
Simulation-based Education
Strategic Developments:
- Developed a 3-year strategy (2024-2026) for committee activities
- Continued collaboration with SESAM and SRATI, supporting the integration of SBET into the Romanian national residency training program
- Conducted a survey in 6 countries (Croatia, Estonia, Greece, Israel, Latvia, and Slovenia) for the possibilities of local implementation of the NAST model. The survey was followed by a series of meetings with representatives from the 6 countries.
Key Collaborations and Achievements:
- Joint scientific sessions at SESAM Prague and SRATI Sinaia
- Renewed affiliation with SESAM at the annual conference in Prague
- Supported the National Advanced Airway Course in Moldova (NAAMM) and encouraged cross-border faculty exchange
- Organised the second Simulation Networking meeting at EA24 Munich.
Key developments
The Simulation Committee developed a working agreement with SESAM to collaborate on the National Simulation Development Programme, initiated in Romania with SRATI. In 2024, a Memorandum of Understanding between ESAIC and SESAM was signed and will be in place for the period of 2024 – 2026.
Working agreement with SESAM
In 2024, the TTT Committee prepared the re-launch of the Train the Trainer Course (which took place on January 2025). A call for participants was published in October 2024, offering 60 places for the TTT Part I (online). It was sold out within 48 hours.
Teach the Teacher Course
VIVAC
In 2024, the VIVAC (Viva Course) attracted 134 registrations. Designed to prepare candidates for the European Diploma in Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Part II examination, VIVAC offers lectures and a mock exam workshop led by experienced examiners. Participants receive feedback on their performance and observe various examination styles, enhancing their readiness for the official exam.
BCSAC
In 2024, the Basic and Clinical Sciences Anaesthetic Course (BCSAC) totalled 348 registrations. This high intake highlights the course's growing relevance and appeal to healthcare professionals seeking to deepen their knowledge in anaesthesiology and to prepare for the European Diploma in Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care.
Masterclasses
The ESAIC Masterclasses offer expert-led sessions for anaesthesiologists to improve their scientific skills and refresh knowledge on topics such as research, patient safety, and guidelines methodology. In 2024, ESAIC organised a series of masterclasses aimed at enhancing these skills and updating knowledge in specific areas. These sessions were conducted by renowned experts in their respective fields.
Date
Place
Theme
24-25 February 2024
Istanbul, Turkey
Advanced Patient Safety Masterclass
01-02 July 2024
London, United Kingdom
Advanced Patient Safety Masterclass
06-08 November 2024
Brussels, Belgium
Masterclass in Guidelines Methodology
25-27 November 2024
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Patient Safety and Quality Masterclass
The ESAIC advances the role of anaesthesiologists through high-quality education and a robust certification system. At its core is the European Diploma in Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care (EDAIC), endorsed by the EBA and CESMA (UEMS). This two-part exam, offered in multiple languages, assesses specialist-level knowledge. Passing the EDAIC signals a commitment to excellence and high standards of patient care across Europe and beyond.
Examination
Professional Growth
In 2024, the ESAIC continued to advance the professional role of anaesthesiologists through high-quality training, education, and a robust certification system. At the heart of this effort is the European Diploma in Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care (EDAIC), endorsed by the EBA and CESMA (UEMS). The EDAIC, a two-part exam offered in multiple languages, assesses specialist-level knowledge and reflects a commitment to excellence in patient care.
The EDAIC maintained strong performance in 2024, with record-breaking registrations for Part I, Part II, and the Online Assessment (OLA), reflecting the growing commitment to professional competence. By broadening its global scope, ESAIC continues to ensure accessibility while upholding rigorous standards across regions. The ongoing success of the EDAIC highlights ESAIC’s dedication to excellence in anaesthesiology and intensive care worldwide.
On 14 September 2024, the EDAIC Part I examination was held across 96 centres in 55 countries and delivered in 11 languages. A total of 4,010 candidates registered, with 3,423 sitting the exam. This marks the largest Part I exam ever conducted to date. Notably, 20% of candidates were from India, while the majority came from across Europe.
Several new centres were added in 2024, including Asunción (Paraguay), Granada (Spain), Haifa (Israel), and Yogyakarta (Indonesia). Tirana (Albania) also became active for the first time, having received accreditation the previous year. In Indonesia, the EDAIC Part I was held for the first time as a mandatory examination.
EDAIC Part I Exam
4,010 registered candidates
3,423 took the EDAIC Part I
This upward trend reflects increasing global recognition of the diploma, with more countries formally integrating the exam into their training systems. Contributing factors include growing awareness, enhanced accessibility, and the continued expansion of examination centres worldwide.
EDAIC Part I registrations have shown steady growth in recent years.
EDAIC Part I Candidates per Continent
EDAIC Part I candidates top 10 countries
1,520 registered candidates
1,093 candidates took the EDAIC Part II
EDAIC Part II Exam
Over the past three years, EDAIC Part II exam- a mix of online and face-to-face exams - registrations have shown significant growth.
In 2024, 18 sessions of the EDAIC Part II were held in face-to-face, online, or hybrid formats. A total of 1,520 candidates registered, with 1,093 sitting the exam.
This marks the largest cohort ever for the EDAIC Part II examination. Notably, Turkey officially recognised the EDAIC Part II as equivalent to its national diploma, reflecting the growing international acceptance of the qualification.
EDAIC Part II Candidates per Continent
EDAIC Part II candidates top 10 countries
(H)OLA
In 2024, a total of 2,006 candidates registered for the (H)OLA, with 1,781 completing the assessment—making it the second largest cohort to date.
To support the growing number of Chinese-speaking participants, two Chinese translators were appointed, doubling the previous capacity. Additionally, the (H)OLA was introduced to both the Japanese and Korean Societies during Euroanaesthesia, reflecting continued international outreach and collaboration.
