Countries of the European Union (EU) have been harmonized to a single market with free movement of citizens, goods, services and finances. This historic achievement also greatly facilitates training abroad.
The European Board of Neurology (EBN, www.uems-neuroboard.org) initiated an exchange programme entitled “Open Facilities for Training in European Neurology” (OFTEN) in 2002. This project was implemented to offer specialist training at renowned departments. The exchange programme is managed by the European Association of Young Neurologists and Trainees (EAYNT, www.eaynt.org), the independent non-profit junior neurologist organisation in Europe.
The OFTEN programme has become an integral part of the EAYNT portfolio among other important efforts. Currently over a hundred OFTEN departments accept neurology trainees for a 3-12 month stay.
Taken together, the OFTEN exchange programme is an ideal opportunity for junior neurologists to catch up with European standards, develop collaborations and improve their understanding of cultural differences in European neurology.
An article on the OFTEN programme has recently be published in the European Journal of Neurology: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1468-1331.2012.03694.x/full or free access on the EFNS website: https://www.efns.org/uploads/media/EAYNT_article_2012.pdf
