In a significant advancement for vestibular medicine education in Latin America, a pioneering certificate program has emerged, bridging the gap between clinical practice and academic certification. This innovative program, developed at one of Argentina’s largest universities–Universidad Nacional de Rosario, represents the first implementation of the Bárány Society’s Vestibular Medicine curriculum in the region.
The program’s origin reflects a thoughtful response to growing professional needs. What began as a virtual course on neuro-otology in Buenos Aires has evolved into a comprehensive academic program. “We had students who needed a more academic environment or a diploma, a kind of degree supported by a university,” explains the program director, Sergio Carmona, MD, PhD, Chief of the Department of Neurotology, Buenos Aires Institute of Neuroscience. This transformation was driven by two key factors: the demand for formal academic certification and the desire to unite diverse professionals working in vestibular medicine.
Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of this program, launched in 2024, is its interdisciplinary approach. Its inaugural cohort brought together a diverse group of professionals, including otolaryngologists, neurologists, physical therapists, audiologists, speech therapists ophthalmologists, kinesiologists, medical technologists, psychologists, and occupational therapists. This diversity presented both challenges and opportunities. The program addressed the issue of diversity of medical backgrounds through an innovative solution: collaborative learning groups where professionals from different countries and specialties worked together on clinical cases and theoretical questions. “Imagine people from different countries working together every week,” Dr. Carmona shared, highlighting how this approach helped bridge the gaps among different professional backgrounds.
The curriculum itself represents a thoughtful expansion of the Bárány Society ‘s vestibular medicine standards. Dr. Raymond van de Berg, who lead the creation of the VestMed curriculum believes, “It is great to see that Dr. Carmona harmonized his course with the Vestibular Medicine Curriculum. He really serves as an example for anybody who would like to organize an evidence-based, up-to-date course in Vestibular Medicine.”
While maintaining the core elements of the Bárány Society Vestibular Medicine Curriculum (BS-VestMed-Cur), the certificate program incorporated additional contemporary topics such as telemedicine, childhood vestibular disorders, and persistent postural-perceptual dizziness (PPPD). This adaptation ensures students are well prepared for daily clinical practice while maintaining high academic standards.
The first cohort’s success exceeded expectations, with approximately half of the students being experienced practitioners in the field. This created a rich learning environment where even the instructors found themselves learning from the students’ expertise. The final examinations, which involved presenting clinical cases, were so exceptional that the university is now planning to publish them as a book.
Looking toward the future, the program has already implemented improvements based on first-year feedback. Recognizing the fundamental importance of vestibular physiology, the organizers have added international experts to their faculty to address these needs. There are also ambitious plans to expand into a two-year PhD program that would include both theoretical and practical components, potentially offering licensing opportunities across Latin America.
For institutions considering similar programs, Dr. Carmona emphasized that success requires more than just a good curriculum. “You need people with experience not only in the clinical practice but also in the academic field,” he advised, noting that their program built upon a decade of prior experience in vestibular education.
This program represents a significant step forward in vestibular medicine education, demonstrating how international collaboration and interdisciplinary approaches can enhance professional education in this specialized field. As the program prepares to welcome its second cohort in May 2025, it continues to evolve and adapt, setting a promising example for similar initiatives worldwide.
The university will begin accepting applications for the next cohort in February 2025. For more information about the program, interested professionals can contact the program office here.
More information about BS VestMed-Cur)
The Bárány Society Vestibular Medicine Curriculum (BS-VestMed-Cur) was developed by a team of experts led by Raymond van de Berg, MD, PhD, and Alexandre Bisdorff, MD, PhD. The BS-VestMed-Cu sets out a comprehensive framework of suggested topics and skills. Subject areas include: anatomy, physiology, and physics; vestibular symptoms; history taking; bedside examination; ancillary testing; disorders; treatment; and professional attitudes.
“Curriculum for Vestibular Medicine (VestMed) proposed by the Bárány Society: The concept of Vestibular Medicine and the framework defining the knowledge, skills and attitudes needed for proficiency in Vestibular Medicine” by R. van de Berg, L. Murdin, S.L. Whitney, J. Holmberg, and A. Bisdorff (Journal of Vestibular Research, Volume 32, Issue 2, Open Access)
