EU-ACME: Credit Registry Report 2021

By Loek Keizer

The EAU, through its History Office, has recently acquired a unique artifact from the history of urology: an original 17th century matula. This matula, or uroscopy flask, was first acquired by former EAU History Office member Dr. Erik Felderhof in 2002, who recognised its importance to urology. Dr. Felderhof is also a founding member of the Dutch Urological Society’s Historical Association.

The matula was originally discovered during the controversial construction of the first metro lines in Amsterdam in the early 1970s. It was buried in the Nieuwmarkt area, very close to the old city’s centre. The Nieuwmarkt (“New Market”) square itself is home of the Waag, or weighing house. This characteristic building has its own importance in medical history.

The Waag The building now known as the Waag was originally built in 1488 as a city gate, as part of the old Amsterdam city wall. It was converted to a weighing house when the original walls were torn down in the 16th century. Several guilds also met in the Waag building, including the surgeons’ guild. It was in the attic of this building that the Dutch master Rembrandt van Rijn was commissioned to paint the surgeons at work, resulting in 1632’s The Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Nicolaes Tulp.

“This Matula likely dates from the early 17th century and it is a miracle to see that it still exists in such a good condition with very nice colouring by oxidation of several metals in the glass.”

The Nieuwmarkt area of Amsterdam is further steeped in history when it served as a rallying point for the Jewish population of Amsterdam and its surrounding area before being sent to their deaths in the Holocaust. The Nieuwmarkt was at the centre of further controversy when many blocks of authentic houses were demolished to make way for the Amsterdam Metro in the 1970s. Mass protest and riots prevented the expansion of the underground system in this part of town. It was during these works that the matula (and many other items from Amsterdam’s Golden Age) was excavated.

EAU History office

The Waag on the Nieuwmarkt square, the area where the matula was discovered in the 1970s (Nikolay Antonov/Shutterstock.com) Close-up of the 400 year-old matula, showing its discolourations and distinctive shape

The Matula This Matula likely dates from the early 17th century and it is a miracle to see that it still exists in such a good condition with very nice colouring by oxidation of several metals in the glass. Matulas were used at the time to inspect a patient’s urine (uroscopy) and many diseases were attributed to the qualities of the urine, like colour or clarity. The dimensions are approximately 15cm tall and 12cm at its widest point.

This recently acquired matula complements another matula that was purchased by the EAU a couple of years ago. The latter matula is probably a bit younger in age as the glass is much thinner. Indeed over time the glass blowing techniques evolved and made it possible to make even thinner glass that was more transparent. Obviously that process made this type more fragile and unfortunately this matula now in the EAU collection has been preserved only partially.

Both matulas are on display as part of the permanent exposition of the EAU Historical collection at the EAU Headquarters in Arnhem (The Netherlands). They are accompanied by a recently restored etching of a uroscopist after a painting by Gerrit Dou. This etching is also part of the EAU Historical collection, acquired as part of the De Vries collection.

Dr. Felderhof is “proud that the matula has its final destination in the safe hands and the collection of the EAU’s History Office.” Professor Philip Van Kerrebroeck, chairman of the EAU History Office, in turn, is grateful that Dr. Felderhof was willing to part with this exceptional piece of history, so characteristic of the earliest days of urology.

The matula as part of the uroscopy exhibit at the EAU Central Office The matula is placed in the exhibition by its donator, Dr. Felderhof under the watchful eye of History Office Chairman Prof. Van Kerrebroeck and its newest member, Dr. Pieter Dik.

Credit Registry Report 2021

Check your registered credits an generate and print CRR online!

More than 18,000 medical professionals from Europe and beyond have already joined the EU-ACME/CNE programme including almost 5,000 EAU Junior Members and more than 2,000 urological nurses. However, only 31% have collected CME/CNE/CPD credit points last year.

Withing the EU-ACME programme, members are recommended to obtaining a minimum of 200 credits in five years in compliance with the EBU CME/CPD system.

The EU-ACME/CNE programme provides access to the online CME/CNECPD portfolio (MyCME/CNE), allowing its members to check and register activities at any time. Many members have already used our online system and registered activities attended in 2022. How to add activities to your online CME/CNE/CPD portfolio – MyCME/CNE? If you miss any CME/CNECPD activity you may register it directly online in MyCME/CNE by going to Request registration of CME/CNE/CPD activity. You will find manuals in the Knowledge Base on our website.

During the application process you will be prompted to upload a documental proof: - Whenever you attend a live educational event, e.g. conference, congress, meeting – you should receive a certificate of attendance. If the meeting is accredited it should be clearly stated on the certificate by which institution with the total of granted credit. After validation of your application and checking the documental proof, we will update your account.

How to request a new password? If your forgot your password please click on the link “Forgot password” on log in screen to reset it.

Electronic Credit Registry Report The yearly Credit Registry Reports for the EU-ACME members is generated electronically only. This way you will be able to access and print your CRR at any time.

If you wish to receive a hard copy of the yearly CRR, please log in to your online account and check the box for the option: “I wish to receive a hard copy of my yearly CRR.”

EU-ACME MCQ winners 2021

From January 1 to December 31, 2021, EU-ACME members answered multiple questions published in European Urology. Three participants who answered most questions correctly were awarded a free registration for the 37th Annual EAU Congress in Amsterdam to be held from 1-4 July this year.

The 2021 winners are: • R.B. Drobot, Rafal, Poland (CME-141503) • R.M. Marques Bernardino, Portugal (CME-143935) • M.D. Deger, Turkey (CME-143755)

How to check your online account? Log in to MyCME/CNE - your online CME/CNE/CPD portfolio, through www.eu-acme.org, go to Credit Registry Report and check if all activities are properly listed under your name. Please indicate on a certificate how many hours you actually spent in the educational activity. - If you wish to have credits added to your account for a scientific publication/ presentation, etc., please send a documental proof e.g. a certificate, an article, a copy of a programme, with clearly visible title and authors of the presentation/scientific publication. (point 8 of the manual) Make sure your personal data and e-mail address are correct to enable the EU-ACME Office to send you the Credit Registry Report information on time and to the correct email address! The EU-ACME committee congratulates the winners for their successful participation in our online CME programme!