The Project for Achieving Consensus in Training (PACT) is a harmonised pan-European training curriculum established by the European Board and College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (EBCOG) to raise the quality of specialist training and strengthen maternal and women’s health outcomes across Europe. Developed through collaboration between medical specialists and trainees from across Europe, PACT aims to improve doctors’ skills and healthcare quality, ensuring modern, cost-effective, and equitable care for all women and newborns, regardless of nationality or place of residence.
​
Each year, more than five million women give birth in Europe. Despite this, maternal health remains a significant challenge. The World Health Organization estimated 1,800 maternal deaths in Europe in 2015, with marked disparities between countries. Similar inequalities exist across other areas of women’s health, including menstrual pain, menopause, sexual health, and gynaecological cancers.
​
The PACT was funded by the European Union through the Erasmus+ programme and developed between 2015 and 2018, under the leadership of Dr Fedde Scheele as Project Chair. The curriculum defines the expected outcomes of training for all gynaecologists in Europe and provides a framework for developing local PACT-based training programmes. It includes guidance on simulation training, entrustment, quality assessment, and faculty development.
​
Benefits of PACT
Implementing PACT and standardising postgraduate training across Europe offers multiple benefits, including:
-
Reduced variation in doctors’ skills and healthcare disparities
-
Greater patient empowerment through patient-centred care and shared decision-making
-
Fewer unnecessary medical interventions
-
Improved quality and cost-effectiveness of care
-
Enhanced mobility opportunities for Obstetrics and Gynaecology specialists across Europe
-
Better preparation for lifelong learning, ensuring skills remain current throughout a clinician’s career
​
2025 Updates
GESEA4EU was a cross-border project co-funded by the European Union through the EU4HEALTH programme (Grant Agreement 101101180). This innovative initiative brought together 16 partners from eight European countries to define universal training recommendations. The project standardised the GESEA training offer already available in 12 centres and expanded it to address the training needs of other healthcare professionals, including nurses and non-clinical support staff.
​
The GESEA4EU project was led by the European Society for Gynaecological Endoscopy and Union Européenne des Médecins Spécialistes, with EBCOG as a partner.
​
With the support of GESEA4EU, EBCOG led a comprehensive review and revision of the original PACT in 2025 to reflect the latest developments in medical education and training. The updated PACT is currently available in English, with translated versions expected later in 2025.