Competences of perfusionists and training structures in perfusion science

Perfusionists are members of an interdisciplinary and multiprofessional team that enables and improves the complex treatment of patients by combining expertise in cardiac surgery, anesthesiology, cardiology, pulmonology, healthcare and nursing. The expertise is particularly focused on the utilization of extracorporeal circulation (ECC). Given the absence of a training program for perfusionists in the Federal Republic of Germany, the German Society for Cardiovascular Engineering (DGfK) as the responsible professional society, has recognized and recommended the contents of the European Certificate in Cardiovascular Perfusion (ECCP) as a basic qualification or minimum standard for perfusionists in Germany as early as 2010. In addition to the classical ECC-related requirements the professional field is increasingly being broadened by collaboration in the development of innovative medical products. These new requirements and necessary competences must be taken into account in the study curricula of perfusion science to adequately prepare the profession for the future. It is recommended that practice-oriented degree programs in technical medicine, medical technology and biomedical engineering with a focus on perfusion science or clinical perfusion should include a minimum of 60 European credit transfer system (ECTS) points in the field of perfusion science. Future employers must have confidence that all graduates possess the same fundamental competencies with respect to perfusion. This requirement can only be fulfilled by an adapted study content. In this respect the Academic Advisory Board of the DGfK published a position paper entitled "Competences perfusion science and technical medicine 2030" in 2024, which sets out the future requirements for the profession.