"Τὰ πάντα ῥεĩ" / "Εverything flows” Heraclitus 475-535 B.C.
A recent article was published in the Hellenic Journal of Cardiology (English) reviewing the training of cardiologists in Greece on a back ground of European and international best practice. The author was Costas Tsioufis, Associate Professor of Cardiology, and President of Hellenic Society of Cardiology. The article stated.."The ancient Greek philosopher stated in his famous quote that “everything flows”. This concept is also true for the definition and documentation of medical competency that is evolving worldwide. The identification of key elements of medical competency is essential for providing better care in the field of cardiovascular diseases, which are universal causes of increased morbidity and mortality".
The article reviewed a number of training initiatives noting that "E-health and e-education are innovations in the field of cardiovascular medicine that are significantly changing training and competence verification. One of the successful examples of online platforms that provide high-standard professional continuing education is the e-learning website (EscEL) of the European Society of Cardiology. Our national society is actively promoting this effort by organizing the pioneer network of trainers and trainees in Greece for the first time in 2017. Although no online educational tool can substitute for a hands-on clinical training program, e-learning can contribute to harmonizing knowledge and practices throughout Europe."
Regarding lifelong learning, " The Hellenic Society of Cardiology is organizing a more integrated approach to this important aspect of physicians being in a position to optimise patient care. Improving the training of future doctors by maintaining and enhancing their competence in addition to promoting their lifelong learning are goals will have a major impact on cardiovascular outcome. The role of the Hellenic Society of Cardiology is to reshape traditional training programs of cardiovascular medicine into a modern standardized system of education and certification that would embrace and address the Heraclitus quote: "Τὰ πάντα ῥεĩ".