Dear EYFDM colleagues, We would like to invite you to participate in the GP Conference Exchange Program in The Netherlands from June 15th until June 20th 2026! GP Conference Exchange program:
June 15th Arrival in the Netherlands, transfer to your Dutch GP trainee buddy.
June 16th Primary care exchange: observation in a Dutch practice together with a Dutch GP trainee.
June 17th A visit at a Dutch primary care service for youth and family care and social program details will follow in due course.
June 18th and 19th Dutch GP conference days in Den Bosch.
Applicants are preferably:
proficient in the English language;
willing to take an active role in the exchange program;
willing to actively share your experiences in the country where you work.
Join by filling out this form and send a short motivation letter and curriculum vitae (with picture, please!) to exchange@lovah.nland to your National Exchange Coordinator. Deadline for application is the 24th of March 2026.
The European Young Family Doctors’ Movement wants to encourage New and Future General Practitioners/Family Physicians (GP/FM) to develop their research skills to improve health care in primary care. For this reason, the EYFDM presents an annual Junior Research Award with the aim of rewarding advanced projects of GP/FM trainees or junior GP/FM physicians with up to 6 years working experience after graduation.
Applicants are asked to describe in detail a research project. Three finalists will be invited to present their research projects during the workshop that will be held at the WONCA Europe Conference in Paris.
The research project must be an advanced research project and must have an impact on the field of primary care. We accept both the finalised research project and these still in progress.
For the winner:
600€ prize
Becoming a member of the jury for Junior Researcher Award 2027
1-year access to medical educational platform AMBOSS
For the two runner-up finalists
Reimbursement of the registration fee for WONCA Europe Conference in Paris (to a maximum value of 450 € per person).
1-year access to medical educational platform AMBOSS
Find out everything you need to know including deadlines, documents and how to apply below:
On the last 2 days of January, the 10th EYFDM Forum took place in Tallinn. This meeting is organised by and for young family doctors as a standalone event that keeps the spirit of the movement going between the meetings that take place during the pre-conference that precedes the annual WONCA Europe Conference.
As the largest EYFDM forum to date and the first forum to take place in a North European/Baltic country, 359 participants from 29 countries took part in the exciting scientific programme that included keynote lecturers and panellists. 24 workshops and 42 oral presentations were given out during the conference.
During the forum the winner of the 2026 Being Young Staying Young Award (BYSY) was announced and the awardee, Dr. Veronika Rasic, addressed the audience with some key insights of wisdom. As a former EURIPA-EYFDM liasion and co-founder of Rural Seeds, a global networks that empowers students and early-career health professionals in pursing rural careers and research, Dr Veronika Rasic embodies the spirit of the award.
The keynote sessions covered diverse themes, including genetics, the multidisciplinary team within family medicine, digitalisation as well as teaching and research opportunities within our speciality. These were delivered by world-leading speakers, Prof. Ruth Kalda, Prof. Thomas Frese, Prof. Alex Harding and Prof. Lili Milani. A panel session with Dr. Daria Gheorghe, Prof. Anna Stavdal, and Dr. Gerhard Grents stimulated further discussions.
The forum was preceded by an exchange programme. Over 3 days, 40 participants got the chance to observe first hand how Estonian healthcare works by accompanying local family doctors during their working hours.
The social programme was filled with events for each of the 3 nights, giving participants the chance to get to know the city and local culture. These included a live band, traditional Estonian dancing as well as a medieval themed meal. Other social highlights were the ‘lantern city hike’ through the atmospheric Old Town of Tallinn. On Sunday, some people even braved a dip in the icy sea, followed by a sauna visit!
These opportunities to forge countless memories, form new connections or see old friends form a key part of the events as afterall, Family Medicine is very aware of the benefit of cooperation and the importance of relationships.
Before the Forum, the EYFDM Council meeting took place. The Council approved statements regarding the recognition of family medicine as a speciality within Europe, supporting the position of WONCA Europe and the Working Party on Policy Advocacy. We also approved a position statement on the Climate Emergency, and made some changes to our bylaws, ensuring we keep our governance up-to-date as we develop as an organisation.
During the 10th Forum in Tallinn the winner of the 2026 Being Young Staying Young Award (BYSY) was announced and Dr. Veronika Rasic addressed the audience with some key insights of wisdom.
This award recognises a senior doctor who over a prolonged period of time had made a valuable and key contribution to EYFDM and evokes in others the youthful mindset which characterises and underpins the heart, soul and ethos of EYFDM.
Veronika Rasic has been an invaluable bridge between EURIPA and EYFDM, serving as the previous EURIPA–EYFDM Liaison, a role in which she helped strengthen connections between young doctors and established rural practitioners across Europe. As co-founder of Rural Seeds in 2017, a global network for students and early-career health professionals interested in rural health, Veronika created a platform that continues to empower young professionals to pursue rural careers and research.
See other inspiring individuals that contributed to the development of EYFDM (former winners).
On January 30 the EYFDM Council meet, worked on and approved the Statement on Family Medicine as a Speciality:
“EYFDM strongly supports the full recognition of Family Medicine/ General Practice as a medical speciality, within the European Union and the whole European Region. EYFDM endorses the WONCA Europe Statement on the Recognition of the Speciality of Family Medicine/ General Practice in the European Region. We call for its inclusion in Directive 2005/36/EC, Annex 1.1.3 on the recognition of professional qualifications, alongside other medical specialities. A common European framework, which reflects the diversity of Family Medicine across health systems, will ensure that the knowledge we obtain in the first years of our careers is qualitatively equivalent to our colleagues from surrounding countries. We aim to bring together trainees, trainers and policymakers to address the future needs of family doctors when designing a common curriculum. Strengthening the position of Family Medicine in Europe is one of the EYFDM aims, and the recognition of Family Medicine as a speciality means taking a step further towards this goal. This position is fully aligned as well with the UEMO and EJD’s “Murcia Declaration on the Future of General Practice and Family Medicine in European Healthcare”, which highlights the crucial role of Family Medicine in ensuring accessible, and sustainable healthcare systems across Europe.”
EYFDM acknowledges that: ● The climate emergency is a global ecological and health emergency. ● The climate emergency is having and will continue to have health impacts that will worsen health inequalities. ● We have a commitment as a primary care organisation to raise awareness of the Climate Crisis and advocate for Planetary Health.
Goals/ targets: ● One-health approach ● Promote low-carbon activities and health systems ● Incentivise campaigns and training for our members to raise awareness on climate crisis and related health emergencies. ● Partner with similar organisations and share common grounds. ● Develop specific policies supported by scientific evidence.
Amendments to the EYFDM Bylaws were also approved regarding participation in SIGs, nomination of proxy, ties in voting and update in the logo description and use of EYFDM name.
The Council also approved a budget amendment to increase funding for bursaries in 2026, after the generous donation of from the Luxembourg HOC of 4500 euros.
The accessibility guidelines were also approved to improve the experience for all members at EYFDM events.
Apply now, and until March 8th for bursaries to attend the EYFDM Preconference and WONCA Europe Conference in Paris.
Wonca Europe, Collège de la Médecine Générale (CMG) and the European Young Family Doctors’ Movement have joined forces to financially support young family physicians from across the WONCA Europe region and bring them closer to the global international community of general practitioners.
At least 10 applicants will receive from 500 to 1000 € to refund the costs of attending these events.
We started 2026 showcasing some opportunities within EYFDM including the roles of ND and executive, exchanges, awards, bursaries, bridge project and more.
10th Forum of Młodzi Lekarze Rodzinni (Young Family Doctors from Poland) took place this year in Warsaw, 15-16th of November.
Great lectures, practical workshops, an amazing atmosphere and inspiring networking. Wellbeing was also central with active breaks, morning run, healthy food, and a family& children room. See you in Cracow next year!
