IMPORTANT NOTICE TO HYPERTENSION SPECIALISTS

A recent policy update now requires that all Hypertension Specialists should be Members of the European Society of Hypertension in good standing.

Previously certified Specialists who are not ESH members, in order to undergo re-accreditation and to maintain their recognition, will have to become members. They do not need endorsement letters.

New candidates have to apply for ESH membership before submitting the Specialist application.

If you are not currently a member of ESH, the new ESH Online portal provides a simple online form. Simply click the Join Now link at the top of the page to access the application.

To be recognized as a Hypertension Specialist of the ESH, an applicant must meet the following criteria:

1. Clinical experience in hypertension (not less than 10 years) with particular reference to referral of patients with difficult hypertension.

2. Training in a medical speciality germane to hypertension (Internal Medicine, Nephrology, Cardiology, Endocrinology, Primary care, etc.)

3. A certain degree of scientific activity (e.g. publications on clinical hypertension, participation in clinical trials, etc.)

4. Continuing interest and updating in hypertension as shown by participation in scientific meetings and membership in hypertension related scientific societies.

5. Recognition by their peers at national levels.

A Cooperative Effort between ESH and National Hypertension Societies

The Certification Process (online)

1. Each applicant should obtain a written endorsement from his National Hypertension Society, or in special circumstances, directly from the ESH. This endorsement (as a PDF) must be uploaded as part of the online application process (www.eshonline.org).

2. The online application form is sent to the Steering Committee for European Hypertension Specialist of the ESH. This Committee makes the final decision about the nomination.

3. Each nominee is required to pay a fee of 50 Euro to ESH (to be sent to the ESH Treasurer, Prof. Micheal Burnier, Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, Rue du Bugnon 17, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland). Nominations will be reported in the Journal of Hypertension, Blood Pressure, ISH Hypertension News and in the ESH online Hypertension Specialists Directory. The Diploma will be sent by stefania.micari@unimib.it.

4. Re-accreditation Process. For re-accreditation of the Hypertension Specialists, individuals must record activity on-line by using a password to access their personal file on the ESH website. Online application for re-accreditation will begin in 2010. At least 3 of the following criteria must be fulfilled in a 3-year period for re-accreditation:

1) Participation in the ESH Meetings,

2) Participation in the ESH teaching activities,

3) Participation in local meetings endorsed by the ESH,

4) Participation in Distant Learning Activities, and,

5) Publication in journals.

5. Status JUNE 2009: There are over 900 approved ESH Hypertension Specialists. 231 individuals are both ESH Members and Hypertension Specialists of the ESH. Remaining Hypertension Specialists have to submit ESH membership application in order to maintain their recognition (Deadline: November 30, 2009).