Further education and training are a central function of our society. The board is assisted in this area by the education commission. The commission discusses and develops proposals on issues related to specialist education, specialist training seminars and assessment of those seeking qualifications as specialists. It advises on the organisation of continuing education academies held at the annual conferences, and is also involved in coordination and decision-making on continuing education activities of the society. Strong contacts are maintained with international organisations, particularly the UEMS, to ensure that new developments are discussed early and the requisite changes are made in a timely fashion.

Members of the education commission, from the university area, are Eduard Auff ( Vienna ), Franz Fazekas ( Graz ), Stefan Kiechl ( Innsbruck ) and Werner Poewe ( Innsbruck ). The non-university area is represented by Wolfgang Grisold ( Vienna ), Hans-Peter Haring ( Linz ), Peter Kapeller ( Villach ), Heinz Lahrmann ( Vienna ); for specialists in private practice,   Michael Ackerl (Oberpullendorf) and Wolfgang Soukop (Wr. Neustadt), have been nominated. Michael Spiegel currently serves as head of the commission and Eva Assem-Hilger as secretary.

Please send any questions, proposals and suggestions on the theme of training and continuing education to the secretariat of the ANS. All feedback is gratefully received.

Dr. Michael Ackerl