ECMT is an independent non-profit association

founded in 1995

ECMT Mission Statement

European Continuing Medical Training is a non-profit association founded in 1995, by a group of physicians for the education of physicians.

The main objective of ECMT is to organize high level medical training courses with special attention to continuity.

ECMT brings together European and International Experts on specific medical topics to provide theoretical and hands-on education to support continuous learning and adoption into daily clinical practice.

ECMT cannot function without an educational grant from the industry, although ECMT will guarantee its independence by applying financial resources to organize advanced training courses on different medical topics on an ethical and deontological basis.

ECMT Curriculum

Phase I: ex cathedra congresses or symposia, cadaver courses
Phase II: on-site trainings in expert center
Phase III: on-site support for interventions; On-site support for starting centers (centers who followed phase I or II training)
Effective practice management course
Creating a group of physicians in different fields who are willing to accept visitors for training
Virtual training programs

Medical Area of Involvement

Since 1995 ECMT has organised training programs on Neuromodulation. This includes therapies that alter nerve activity by delivering electrical or pharmaceutical agents directly to a target area. Neurostimulation is the modulation of the nervous system with electrical signals and is used as a treatment for unmanageable chronic pain and/or movement disorders.

As of 2024 ECMT will also organise training programs in the field of Migraine.

Different forms of neuromodulation exist:

Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS) where the nervous tissues on a specific portion of the spinal cord are electrically stimulated to block pain signals to the brain. SCS is generally indicated for use as an aid in the management of chronic, intractable pain of the trunk and/or limbs; stable intractable Angina Pectoris or Peripheral Vascular Disease in patients who are not candidates for revascularization.
Peripheral Nerve Stimulation (PNS) where a specific nerve or an area of pain is targeted to relieve pain locally. PNS is generally indicated for use as an aid in the management of chronic intractable pain of the trunk and/or limbs or implanted subcutaneously for chronic intractable pain of the posterior trunk.
Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) is a highly targeted, mild electrical stimulation in the brain which influences movement control, specifically on either the subthalamic nucleus, the internal globus pallidus or the ventral intermediate nucleus of the thalamus. DBS could be indicated in the treatment of Movement Disorders (Parkinson's disease, Essential Tremor, Dystonia), Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders and Epilepsy.
Sacral Neuromodulation (SNM) involves the stimulation of the sacral nerves to modulate the neural reflexes that influence the lower urinary and intestinal tracts. SNM is generally indicated for the management of overactive bladder, Non-obstructive urinary retention and fecal incontinence.
Intrathecal Drug Delivery (IDD) consists of the delivery of a pharmacology agent directly to the target site, around the spinal cord (in the intrathecal space). IDD can be used to treat chronic pain (by administrating opioid and non-opioid analgesics) or spasticity (by infusing baclofen) which is then called ITB (Intrathecal Baclofen). IDD is recommended by the PACC for some of the following painful conditions: Failed Back Surgery Syndrome, Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, back, abdominal/pelvic, trunk, extremities pain and cancer pain or when analgesic efficacy with systemic opioids is complicated by intolerable side effects. is recommended by the PACC for some of the following painful conditions: Failed Back Surgery Syndrome, Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, back, abdominal/pelvic, trunk, extremities pain and cancer pain or when analgesic efficacy with systemic opioids is complicated by intolerable side effects.

Different manufacturers of neuromodulation systems may have different approved indications for use. Always refer to the product manufacturers labelling.

ECMT is aware that the constant expansion of the use of Interventional Neuromodulation therapies as a standard of care for patients suffering from these disorders, poses a new educational challenge and has therefore committed itself to support the transfer of knowledge and experience which is essential to meet the quality standards required by these therapies.

ECMT board

Dr. Breukink (as of end of 2024)

Colorectal Surgery
From Maastricht, The Netherlands

Prof. Buchser

Pain Management
From Morges, Switzerland

Prof. Cattrysse

Experimental Anatomy
From Brussels (Jette), Belgium

Prof. De Wachter

Urology
From Antwerp (Edegem), Belgium

Prof. Moens

Neurosurgeon
From Brussels (Jette), Belgium

Prof. Theys

Neurosurgery
From Leuven, Belgium

Prof. Van Buyten

Anesthesiology, Pain Management
From Sint-Niklaas, Belgium

The history of ECMT

ECMT, a non-profit organisation was founded on February 5th, 1995 by a group of experts in the use of Neuromodulation therapies for different pathologies.

Prof. em. Jan Gybels became president of ECMT and co-founders envisioned an organization that would offer continuing medical training of new technologies in the area of Neuromodulation and provide training credits delivered by the Belgian Ministry of Health.

Since its very beginning ECMT has offered different kinds of educational events: Pan European meetings with international expert faculty (Phase I), on site tutorials in centres with broad experience in Neuromodulation (Phase II) and support in situ to physicians wanting to use new technologies (Phase III).

In total, more than 5000 physicians have participated in an ECMT educational program. All educational activities are being sponsored with financial support of the medical industry, being Medtronic Europe the main sponsor for these activities. Since 2018 ECMT is organizing training programs on Neuromodulation in partnership with Medtronic.

As of 2024 ECMT will also organize virtual training programs on Migraine with the financial support of Lundbeck Institute (part of H. Lundbeck A/S).

ECMT legal entity

Bye-laws of European Continuing Medical Training (E.C.M.T.)
Den Hert, 9250 Waasmunster, Belgium
BE 0455.124.592
RPR Gent KBO nr. 0455.124.592

Virtual trainings

Since the start of the pandemic in 2020, ECMT has transferred a number of training sessions into virtual classrooms to continue offering medical education when travelling was not possible. ECMT has received positive feedback from health care professionals from all over the world who now have easy access to those ECMT training programs. Also restricting physical travelling due to the environmental impact, is appreciated and we are grateful to our Course Directors and Faculty of Experts who have helped us to design and organize excellent online training programs in the field of:

ITB course for Advanced users, The role of ITB in the treatment of supra-spinal and spinal spasticity
ANT-DBS for Epilepsy
Occipital Nerve Stimulation for the treatment of Intractable Chronic Cluster Headache
Visualase Tumor Edition

From October 2024 we are pleased to organize the virtual training on:

Evidence based medicine in Migraine

Photo, Video and Course materials Policy

During ECMT training programs, it is not allowed to make any images or recordings.

During in-person ECMT training courses, participants will receive a USB memory stick with all the presentations in PDF format. This information is reference material for participants only and can not be distributed to others. It is not allowed to make copies nor use any of this material for other purposes. The intellectual property belongs to the Faculty.

We kindly request participants to respect these policies.