Europan Diploma in Regional Anaesthesia & Acute Pain Management (EDRA)
Europan Diploma in
Regional Anaesthesia & Acute Pain Management (EDRA)
ESRA Diplomats from Greece 2008 – 2015
Perioperative Analgesia is undoubtedly a key factor in the Multimodal Perioperative Management of the Surgical Patient. For this reason, during the last decade,Regional Anaesthesia presents a significant bloom globally. Although central neuraxial blocks remain one of the most effective methods of postoperative analgesia, recently, they have begun to lose their popularity, mainly because of the widespread use of new anticoagulants perioperatively and also due to their limitations and risks.
Therefore, International Anaesthesiology Practice has turned towards more peripheral nerve blocks. For these reasons, Anaesthesiologists Training in Regional Anaesthesia, worldwide, is undergoing major reorganization, including specific curricula, certification of instructors, as well as control programs for both residents and consultants. In Greece, even nowadays, conditions still present significant gaps and disparities. Regional Anaesthesia is applied to some, relatively few, hospitals, with its application range being relatively small, whereas respective education still necessitates development. This situation can be improved if Advantages of Regional Anaesthesia and Analgesia are perceived, through Education, Training and Certification of Instructors, as well as with Systematization of the Regional Anaesthesia Curriculum and Education Control of both instructors and trainees.
The European Diploma of Regional Anaesthesia & Acute Pain Management (EDRA Diploma), which has been introduced into the educational activities of ESRA Society since 10 years, is the only Degree – Diploma related to Regional Anaesthesia, existing in Europe, thus attracting anaesthesiologists’ interest worldwide. This is possibly attributed to the fact that, in the European Union, Recommendations and Guidelines, regarding certification procedures of instructors, are continuously becoming pressing at each level and eventually, this is expected to be necessarily implemented in Greece in the forthcoming years.
The European Diploma in Regional Anaesthesia & Acute Pain Management was created in 2005 with the goal of establishing standards in Regional Anaesthesia in Europe. The Diploma was intended to widen the activity spectrum of those specialists in anaesthesia, who are already in clinical practice and are interested in acquiring additional knowledge in the entire field of Regional Anaesthesia.
The concept of Recommended and EDRA Diploma Board Recognized Courses and Workshops, taking place annually at national and European Level, take into account the knowledge level of reasonably experienced clinicians. The salient points of different techniques, the overall strategies for their use, as well as their advantages and risks, have been stressed during the courses and workshops visited by all candidates.
Regional Anaesthesia Techniques are integral components of anaesthesia and are frequently administered to the high-risk patients, ranging from newborns to the frail elderly. Therefore, the objective of the examination, is to treat defined subjects in an encompassing way, with sound knowledge of anatomy, physiology and pharmacology related to regional anaesthesia, as well as skills in block performance, in a holistic context.
Εuropean Diploma in Regional Anaesthesia & Acute Pain Management (EDRA) – Exams
The EDRA examination takes place once each year, at the ESRA Annual Meeting in September. It is split in Two Parts (Part I & Part II) over two years. The next diploma examinations taking place in Europe will be held in 2016 at the XXXV ESRA Annual Congress in Maastricht – Netherlands (7 – 10 September 2016).
Find more details regarding Education – Training in Regional Anaesthesia here!!!
Find more details regading ESRA Diploma here!!!
Information and Examination Details
Candidates have to be ESRA members. You can register to ESRA or you can renew your subscription through the following addresses – links:</
http://esraeurope.org/membership/join-esra/
Prerequisites for Exams of European Diploma in Regional Anaesthesia – Part I
- Candidates must have completes at least two years in the Specialty of Anaesthesia.
- Candidates must have attended at least 1 workshop / course CME/CPD, approved – certified by EDRA Diploma Βoard (EDB), during the three years prior to application. Among others, such a seminar could be one Workshop of ESRA Hellas.
Εxams for Part I take place during the first day of the ESRA Annual Congress. This year, ESRA Congress will take place in Maastricht, Netherlands (7 ‐ 10 September 2016).
Relative Information Regarding the Congress can be found in the following address – link: http://www.esra2016.com/landing/Pages/default.aspx
Candidates must reply to 100 Multiple Choice Questions, on General Basic Knowledge regarding Anaesthesia, also related to Regional Anaesthesia (Anatomy, Physiology, Pharmacology, Complication, ICU, Statistics).
Detailed Information can be found here: EDRA Part I
Prerequisites for Exams of European Diploma in Regional Anaesthesia – Part II
- Candidates must have passed Part I Exams successfully.
- They should present certificates of attendance from ESRA – EDRA approved Congresses, Seminars, Workshops. A cadaver Workshop (ESRA Diploma Board – EDB recognized) is mandatory.
- From 2012 and on, written confirmation by the Head of Department / Program Director of performance of at least 150 peripheral nerve blocks, 150 CNBS & 30 other blocks is necessary.
Details and Information can be found in the following addresses – links:
http://esraeurope.org/education/esra-diploma/
Exams for Part II also take place every September, during the ESRA Annual Congress.
Exams for Part II usually include Clinical Questions, also focusing on landmarks presentation on live models, as well as in peripheral and central nerve blocks clinical management.
Detailed Information can be found here: EDRA Part II
Online registrations open in March each year and close on:
- August 1st for EDRA part I
- July 1st for EDRA part II
The EDRA Board reserves the right to close the applications if the maximum capacity is reached before the closing date.
Εxamination Fees
The examination fee for both parts is €120 (€50/retake) for each part – each time and must be paid in advance.
Examinations Results
Please note that no results will be communicated on site. Each participant will be contacted personally within 4 weeks after the examination.
What if you Fail?
Unsuccessful participants will be allowed to retake the failed exam at the next ESRA annual meeting with no additional requirements.
EDRA Diplomats
Below, you will find the list of Diplomats that have completed successfully the EDRA Examination (Part I & Part II).
List of Greek EDRA Diplomats 2005 – 2015
List of EDRA Diplomats 2015
List of EDRA Diplomats 2011
List of EDRA Diplomats 2010
List of EDRA Diplomats 2009
List of EDRA Diplomats 2008
List of EDRA Diplomats 2007
ESRA Diploma Board – European Diploma Board (EDB)
Executive Board
Alain Borgeat, Chairman (Zurich – Switzerland)
Slobodan Gligorijevic, Vice – Chairman (Zurich – Switzerland)
Board Members
Jose Aguirre (Zurich – Switzerland)
Eriphyli Argyra (Athens – Greece)
Svetlana Galitzine (Oxford – UK)
Eleni Moka (Heraklion, Crete – Greece)
Narinder Rawal (Orebro – Sweden)
Morne Walmarans (Norwich – UK)
Ex-Officio Board member
Jose de Andres, ESRA President (Valencia – Spain)
Co-opted members
Chandra Kumar (Singapour)
Andre Van Zundert (Australia)
Queries – Communication
For further information, please contact EDRA Office.
Tel: +41 22 510 56 12 +41 22 510 56 12
Fax: +41 22 510 56 14
Email: edra@esraeurope.org