Thoracic oncology HERMES: European curriculum recommendations for training in thoracic oncology
The HERMES (Harmonising Education in Respiratory Medicine for European Specialists) project is funded by the European Respiratory Society (ERS) and has the declared aims of harmonising education in thoracic medicine, recognising diplomas and certificates of qualification, and improving free access and mobility for medical specialists across the European Union (EU). This takes into account Directive 2013/55/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council [1] on the recognition of professional qualifications, one of the pillars of EU legislation. Moreover, it conforms to the fact that there is a shortage of medical/surgical specialists in several European countries, which means that more physicians of other European and non-European countries will be needed to sustain the functioning and development of health services in future years and decades [2]. HERMES is working towards the development of harmonised and structured programmes for education across respiratory specialties to ensure that the best care is delivered for those suffering from respiratory diseases.