CONTINUING EDUCATION IN EMERGENCY CARE Ir.Christodoulou, Z. Koukouritaki, C.Pogonidis, E.Xenodoxidou 2nd Surgical department, Papanikolaou Hospital of Thessaloniki AIM: The widely accepted need for continuing medical education (CME) is a growing reality throughout Europe. Following the integration of Greece in the European Union(EU), national training programs for health professionals have become more numerous than ever. Aim of the present study is to record the available opportunities of continuing education in the field of emergency care in Greece. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We used information derived from the Greek Ministry of Health, the National Health System Legislation, the EU subsidized national training courses for health professionals for 2005-2006, along with information from the educational meetings held by medical associations and scientific medical societies. RESULTS: The congresses for doctors and nurses held by the scientific societies provide aside from knowledge, a certificate of attendance, and a number of credits for continuing medical education (CME credits), however registration requires mandatory payment. During 2005-2006, among 325 subsidized national seminars for health professionals only 23 programs are related to emergencies. None of the above programs accepts unemployed doctors. CONCLUSIONS: Continuing education in emergencies depends mainly on personal motivation for each health professional in Greece.