To be certified or not: The value of the ESSKA European Certification Programme

Certification programmes in surgery provide verified proof of clinical skill, safety standards and professional standing. These programmes prove that a doctor or medical professional has the advanced skills, knowledge and judgement to practice safe, high-quality surgical care. The mission of the European Society of Sports Traumatology, Knee Surgery and Arthroscopy (ESSKA) since its founding in 1982 is to improve musculoskeletal function and provide high-quality care to our patients, and this prioritization continues today. Continuing in this direction, ESSKA developed and introduced the European Certification Programme four years ago, which is based on the ESSKA Specialist Core Curriculum. It is modular in structure, with individual specialists being encouraged to study one or more 'Modules' directly relevant to their current or future clinical practice. The assessment structure is composed of three steps (theory component, surgical skills assessment and clinical application). It is worthwhile to mention that there is no equivalent certification programme in orthopaedics in terms of structure. Being certified by ESSKA, a world-renowned scientific society, ensures that a surgeon meets strict scientific standards for patient safety and technical quality.