NAMEThe European Federation of Audiology Societies, EFAS, is a non-profit organization, formed as a federation for national audiology societies in the European countries. Audiology is defined as the science of hearing and the alleviation of the effects of disorders of the auditory system. The countries eligible to be part of EFAS are as defined by the World Health Organization (WHO). The Map Viewer of the EFAS Information System (EFAS-IS) is the main source of information for users.
Prof. Nicola Quaranta
There is an emphasis on clinical examination of cases, small group discussions and learning surgical approaches in the cadaver lab. The framework can be customized to fit the specific needs and objectives of an organization, making it a versatile tool for strategic planning. Companies can use SWOT Analysis to assess a wide range of factors, from market trends and competitive pressures to internal resources and capabilities. When it comes to strategic planning and analysis, two commonly used tools are the EFAS Matrix and SWOT Analysis.
There are 2 types of membership:
EFAS Council and the Certification Board have agreed that it would be appropriate to consider awarding an Honorary Certificate to European Foot and Ankle Surgeons of merit. This shall be drawn from the previous list of Executive and Council Members who were democratically elected and who have been active in EFAS and its committees. Once a candidate has been accepted for examination the following process will occur, preceding the biennial meeting or advanced instructional course.
- Ideally the candidate shall have attended each of these courses but variations may be acceptable and the final decision about proceeding to sit the examination shall be determined by the Examination Board.
- EFAS produces 6-hourly flood forecasts (since 2020) and monthly seasonal streamflow outlooks (since 2016).
- A bank of questions has been developed by the examination board and shall be reviewed and updated regularly.
- Since EFAS v4.0, all variables are only available for 6-hourly time steps (but can be aggregated to 24-hourly for all non-instantaneous variables).
- BOARDThe Board shall consist of the Chairperson, the Vice Chairperson, the Past Chairperson, the Secretary-General and the Treasurer, elected from the members of the Committee of Representatives.
- GFM data can be accessed via the EFAS or GloFAS map viewer or using the GFM data portal.
- The visitor might want to gain experience in general foot and ankle surgery, if the visitor is young or less experienced.
EFAS – Known Issues
If your application meets the membership criteria, the Council will suggest it for full ratification by the General Assembly during annual meeting. Benefit from reduced rates to all EFAS courses and events and meet fellow surgeons. Gain access to 8 volumes of Foot and Ankle Surgery Journal (printed and online) per year. Join a strong network of more than 6000 leading European and International Foot and Ankle surgeons. At the same time, we are selecting a group of Fellowship opportunities across the Continent and Internationally with a more Clinical environment, where the Fellow can integrate a Team on a selected Centre with a renowned Tutor. We are certain as well that research is the foundation for the building of clinical excellence.
Certification’s application
In 2018, GloFAS, originally developed by ECMWF in collaboration with the JRC and the University of Reading, became fully operational after being a prototype service since 2011. BOARDThe Board shall consist of the Chairperson, the Vice Chairperson, the Past Chairperson, the Secretary-General and the Treasurer, elected from the members of the Committee of Representatives. The Vice Chairperson shall normally succeed to the office of Chairperson for a two year period and thereafter to the office of Past Chairperson for a two year term. The Board may co-opt additional members, without voting rights, for specific purposes, e.g. in relation to European Conferences on Audiology, or to help liaise with other organizations.
Through this collaborative approach, we can share knowledge, respect our differences and work towards unified goals in hearing healthcare. Education is the foundation for strong academic and clinical excellence in audiology. One of the visions for EFAS during my presidency is to enhance the visibility and understanding of the structure of audiology education across various universities in Europe. We must also foster interdisciplinary education, combining theoretical knowledge with practical experience to better reflect the real-world complexities of hearing care. EFAS is committed to supporting this vision by working closely with the national representatives of EFAS and academic institutions worldwide. The field of audiology is not just about diagnosing and treating hearing loss—it is a multidisciplinary field about restoring human connection, enabling communication and promoting inclusion in a society.
EFAS Available Data
MEMBERSHIPEFAS is open for membership for national societies of audiology in the European countries. Each member nation shall be represented by a single Voting Representative and by two Non-Voting Representatives, appointed by the respective national audiology society if available. For a country without a national audiology society, the Board may accept as a temporary alternative another professional society or entity, which is actively engaged in audiology. The future of audiology depends on collaboration across disciplines and borders. EFAS provides a strong platform for professionals from diverse scientific and clinical backgrounds to cooperate and collaborate.
Prof. Milan Profant
Knowledge of the presentation, radiological and pathological features, treatment and outcome for common benign and malignant tumours in the foot and ankle. Knowledge of the presenting features, management and outcome of soft tissue lesions including sarcomas. EFAS and GloFAS help to protect citizens of Europe and the world, the environment, property and cultural heritage when major floods occur.
Dr. Theresa Pitt, AuD, FISHAA
The volume of water over the total volume of voids in the soil, expressed as an index with values between 0 (residual soil moisture) and 1 (saturation), representing the lower and upper soil moisture limits of the root zone. The root zone is the maximum depth at which plants can extract water from the soil. Voids are empty spaces in the soil column that can be filled with water or air. Volume rate of water flow, including sediments, chemical and biological material, in the river channel averaged over a time step through a cross-section.
Prof. Dr. Nenad Arsovic, MD, PhD
Surgeons who complete this process will have a general understanding of the knowledge and surgical skills required but the standard shall be placed at specialist level providing complete confidence in our art and science for the patients that we treat. Revenue is the total amount of money a company earns from its business operations, including sales of goods or services. This type of membership is available for those individuals from outside of Europe with strong interest and commitment to the field of foot and ankle surgery. Individual Global Members enjoy all membership benefits, but are not eligible to vote at the General Assembly or be elected to Council.
- The volume of water over the total volume of voids in the soil, expressed as an index with values between 0 (residual soil moisture) and 1 (saturation), representing the lower and upper soil moisture limits of the root zone.
- In addition, EFAS provides a unique overview across Europe and neighbouring countries on currently observed and forecasted flood events.
- FellowshipsEvidence of appropriate Fellowship training in a Foot and Ankle Surgery Centre of Excellence is not obligatory but desirable.
- I would also like to acknowledge Prof. Georg Sprinzl and his outstanding team for the excellent coordination and organization of the 17th EFAS Congress in Vienna.
- Hearing loss is one of the most challenging health issues that needs global attention.
- EFAS provides a wide range of early flood forecasting information to support national and regional authorities with flood risk management duties in arranging preparatory measures before an event strikes.
- The aims of the society are to promote the development of foot and ankle surgery and to advance education, study and research in this specialty.
For more specific information on the how the reforecast dataset is produced we refer to EFAS medium-range forecast skill. This dataset was produced by forcing the LISFLOOD hydrological model at a 1×1 arcminute (for version 5.0 onwards) resolution with seasonal meteorological ensemble forecasts. The forecasts are initialised on the first of each month with a lead time of 215 days at 24-hour time steps. The meteorological data are seasonal forecasts (SEAS5) from ECMWF with 51 ensemble members. Ebru Zeren, Senior Audiologist, Audiology Department, Mid and South Essex University Hospitals GroupI had an incredible opportunity to attend the 17th Congress of the European Federation of Audiology Societies (EFAS), held in the heart of Vienna, Austria.
- The Map Viewer of the EFAS Information System (EFAS-IS) is the main source of information for users.
- This is the depth the water would have if it were spread evenly over the grid box.
- It is accepted that this condition may not be treated by Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Surgeons throughout Europe.
- The EFAS Matrix focuses primarily on external factors, providing insights into the broader business environment and helping organizations anticipate market changes.
- For EFAS v3.5 and earlier, all variables were only available for 24-hourly time steps.
- Fellowship opportunities with EFAS’s international partnering societies, universities and hospitals.
- EFAS provides the framework for focused working groups, usually consisting of active members in the respective field that are established and terminated as needed.
Lecturer Dr. Oana Bitere
Tibialis posterior dysfunction (FDL transfer, Cobb reconstruction and allied procedures), tendon transfers, dislocation of the peroneal tendons – relocation, Tendo Achilles surgery including late repair, decompression and lengthening. FellowshipsEvidence of appropriate Fellowship training in a Foot and Ankle Surgery Centre of Excellence is not obligatory but desirable. A list of Centres throughout Europe has been collected but consideration may be given to other International Fellowships. The minimum time period is three months but this may include training for shorter periods in several centres. It is a great honor and privilege to assume the office as the President of the European Federation of Audiology Societies (EFAS) at the 17th EFAS congress in Vienna in May 2025.
EFAS Seasonal reforecasts
- Our training is convenient for you as we work to ensure you meet your requirements as an employer.
- Knowledge Base and Practical Skills This is discussed and clarified in detail in the section on Curriculum.
- Through EFAS, we are dedicated to bridge this gap by advancing accessible, affordable and sustainable hearing care services for all.
- Gain access to online educational content exclusively available for EFAS members.
- Membership of a Non-European Society accepted for affiliation with EFAS will convey global membership of EFAS to all Individuals of the Affiliated National Society and entitle them to receive the journal of the Society.
- Treatment options and techniques may vary with different countries and clinics.
- Situated between Vienna’s iconic St Stephen’s Cathedral and City Hall, the venue offered a unique blend of tradition and innovation, combining classical beauty with state-of-the-art facilities.The scientific content of the congress was equally outstanding.
- For more specific information on the how the reforecast dataset is produced we refer to EFAS medium-range forecast skill.
The event took place at the stunning Palais Niederösterreich, a 16th-century Baroque palace rich in history and elegance. Situated between Vienna’s iconic St Stephen’s Cathedral and City Hall, the venue offered a unique blend of tradition and innovation, combining classical beauty with state-of-the-art facilities.The scientific content of the congress was equally outstanding. Topics included the use of artificial intelligence in hearing aids and tinnitus management, innovations in tele-audiology, and advances in cochlear implantation.The congress opened with a focus on the transformative role of artificial intelligence in audiology. Several presentations highlighted the integration of AI into hearing aid technology and tinnitus treatment. Particularly noteworthy was a review outlining AI’s potential to personalise treatment plans and enhance device performance through adaptive algorithms.
Dr. Libor Černý
- The error in the computation of the initial conditions of EFAS version 5 forecasts has been corrected.
- As there was no adequate validated foot and ankle score in different European languages, EFAS created a committee (Score Committee), inaugurated and headed by Martinus Richter, to develop, validate and publish a new score in common European mother tongues.
- Each member nation shall be represented by a single Voting Representative and by two Non-Voting Representatives, appointed by the respective national audiology society if available.
- It couples state-of-the art weather forecasts with a hydrological model and with its continental scale set-up provides downstream countries with information on upstream river conditions.
- For those staff whose roles don’t allow for direct access to a computer, EFACS E/8 provides mobile integration and support comes as standard, allowing your employees to access the systems they need to, via smartphones and tablets.
- The Global Flood Awareness Systems (GloFAS) in contrast to EFAS, is the operational global flood forecasting and monitoring system, being operational since 2018.
- EFAS is committed to supporting this vision by working closely with the national representatives of EFAS and academic institutions worldwide.
Our belief is that if students enjoy their first-aid training they will retain this valuable life skill. For EFAS v3.5 and earlier, all variables were only available for 24-hourly time steps. Since EFAS v4.0, all variables are only available for 6-hourly time steps (but can be aggregated to 24-hourly for all non-instantaneous variables). This is the first course BOFAS is running in UAE and the aim is to expand the Foot and Ankle education and training in the Middle East and Gulf area. We value our industry partnerships, and are pleased to offer a range of opportunities for industry to support the Society’s conference, symposium, courses, and support research through the EFAS Foundation. To change the privacy setting of a particular profile field, please click the icon to the left of the field and select your preferred level of security.
JOIN EFAS SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE!
Enhance your skills, expand your professional network, and gain valuable international experience. Gain access to online educational content exclusively available for EFAS members. Fellowship opportunities with EFAS’s international partnering societies, universities and hospitals.
Each topic starts with a short theorical presentation, followed by a demonstration from the faculty and ends with 40 minutes of practical work on foot foot by participants. This type of membership is for individual European orthopaedic and trauma surgeons with strong interest in foot and ankle surgery residing in a country where there is no EFAS-affiliated National Society. The applying individual must demonstrate commitment to foot and ankle surgery through their membership application. Full membership entitles to full membership benefits, as well as voting at the General Assembly and be elected to Council.
The CDS is the EFAS recommended and easiest way to access EFAS data and all relevant metadata information. https://www.efas2023.org/forum/ After selecting to access the EFAS map viewer, the user will be able to access various data and information from the service using the EFAS-IS (Figure 2). Evidence of appropriate Fellowship training in a Foot and Ankle Surgery Centre of Excellence is desirable but not mandatory at present.
EFAS guidelines for versioning
We are sure that the way to go is to increase the level of expertise and information of the European Surgeons that embrace the field of Foot and Ankle Surgery. This effort must be more effective on young surgeons, because it’s obvious that the future is on their hands. Also, we need that young surgeons feel that EFAS is a place for improvement and exchange of expertise and knowledge.
For more specific information on the how the seasonal reforecast dataset is produced we refer to the documentation. Data can be accessed is several ways, the most common is through the EWDS (see Data Access). This dataset provides a gridded modelled time series of river discharge, forced with seasonal range meteorological forecasts from GloFAS.
EFAS GENERAL ASSEMBLY 2024
The policy of the Copernicus program is that products and services offered under this program are per definition free and open to everyone, with only a few exceptions made for specific reasons. With regards to flood management, the Member States hold the exclusive right to issue flood warnings. To respect that mandate, all real-time EFAS forecasts and products are restricted and only accessible to “EFAS partners”. Logbook A complete logbook of surgical cases shall be required preferably electronically for ratification by the examination board before proceeding to the examination.