text: The UEMS Rheumatology Section is one of the 42 Specialist Sections present at the European Union of Medical Specialists (UEMS), the largest and oldest medical organisation in Europe, as it celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2008.
  The European Board of Rheumatology acts, in common with the other specialty sections, as a working group to guarantee optimal care in rheumatology by bringing the training of rheumatologists to the highest level possible. The Section and Board may contribute to the work of Multidisciplinary Joint Committees (MJC) that address fields of a multidisciplinary nature.
  Today, the section has 53 active members from 26 European countries, representing National Societies of Rheumatology, Colleges, and Universities.
  The UEMS Section of Rheumatology incorporates representatives of 25 countries from the European Union and associate members.
  Membership on the Board consists of representatives of the national society of rheumatology, including relevant academic institutions from each European Union member state or associated country. Each country is expected to have one professional and one academic delegate. The nomination of delegates is confirmed by the national medical association. The European Board of Rheumatology is the permanent working group of the Section.
  Sofia Ramiro is the Representative for the European Junior Doctors (EJD) for the UEMS European Board of Rheumatology.
  Sofia comes originally from Portugal and is currently doing her training in rheumatology in the Netherlands, at the Leiden University Medical Center. She defended her PhD at the Academic Medical Center/University of Amsterdam, and does research mainly in the area of outcomes research in inflammatory rheumatic diseases, with a particular focus on spondyloarthritis.
  Sofia has a particular interest in education and training in rheumatology and has been involved in a large project assessing similarities and differences in training in rheumatology across Europe.
  The primary goal of the Section, is to create a common high standard for Rheumatology in European countries and establish a standard in Training Requirement that can be recognised across Europe. This should also allow for mutual recognition between European countries.
  The objectives are:
  - To improve the awareness of UEMS/EBR and its activities amongst rheumatologists and their national societies, national organisations responsible for training, and CME and the European Commission
  - To expand its collaboration with relevant institutions (UEMS, EULAR) and its influence
  - To raise standards of specialist training by
  - Establishing standards of training centres
  - Ensuring these standards are met by training centers by processes of accreditation, documentation and visitation
  - Ensuring that trainees have comprehensive training according to UEMS/EBR and national standards and that there is evidence of the satisfactory completion of this with the acquisition of appropriate competencies through log books, appraisal and examination
  - Enabling training in different centres within Europe
  - To maintain standards of clinical care by recommendations for requirements for CME
  - To ensure provision of appropriate and high-quality educational activity; setting and monitoring standards for courses, meetings and other educational activities
  - To promote the development of the specialty of rheumatology
  In April 2014, the UEMS Council unanimously endorsed the «Training Requirements in Rheumatology» document developed by the section.