Specialization in allergy and clinical immunology in Switzerland

The incidence of allergic and immunological diseases has been increasing for several years and affects a significant portion of the population. The treatment of these diseases requires appropriate training in allergology and clinical immunology, which justifies the creation of allergy as a specialty. In Switzerland, this training program lasts six years: three years of basic training (internal medicine or paediatrics and dermatology) and three years of specialized training (clinical immunology and allergology). During this period, the physician acquires skills in various fields of this broad discipline, in particular epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, treatment and prevention. The trainee is sanctioned by a final exam which includes both a written and an oral exam. The goal is to get in line progressively with the European level. Finally, it would be desirable to develop a European specialist title that would lead to standardized training programs in the different countries. (c) 2008 Elsevier Masson SAS. Tous droits reserves.