Medical oncology included in Directive for the sake of better cancer care in Europe: ESMO

For the sake of better cancer care in Europe

The European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO), the leading professional organization for medical oncology in Europe, proudly announced that medical oncology has been included among the medical specialties covered by Directive 2005/36/EC on the recognition of professional qualifications, as announced yesterday by the Commission. 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 in fact improve the mobility of medical oncologists in Europe, with their professional qualifications being 'automatically recognized' amongst participating EU Member States in accordance with EC Directive.

"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.

The decision made by Member States will also act as an extra incentive to young medical oncologists looking for stimulating and exciting opportunities abroad, both in the research and the clinical sectors, allowing them to become more competitive and 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," Casali concluded.