Category: Events

  • Happy World Family Doctor Day

    Happy World Family Doctor Day

    WEBINAR SERIES: In the lead-up to World Family Doctor Day, Monday 19 May 2025, WONCA’s Working Party on Mental Health is proud to present a global webinar series exploring the central role of family doctors in mental health care. These sessions reflect our campaign’s theme Building Mental Resilience in a Changing World and reinforce the message that primary health care is uniquely positioned to foster mental wellness. The series will explore how family doctors care not only for their patients, but also for themselves and one another.

    Topics range from culturally sensitive approaches to mental health, to collaboration between doctors and patients, to core concepts that help clinicians and communities navigate adversity—such as coherence, suffering and hope, and the pursuit of meaningful well-being. A special session will spotlight the MDD Minds project, which has empowered thousands of primary care professionals to better manage depression and prioritize their own resilience. Join us and discover how family doctors, when supported and connected, are catalysts for healing across communities.

    Resilience Building and Mental Awareness (with WONCA Young Doctors’ Movement)
    Date: Sunday, 18 May. Time: 14:00 UTC.

    How Family Doctors and Patients Can Improve Mental Health (with World Patients Alliance)
    Date: Monday, 19 May. Time: 12:00 UTC.

    Suffering and Hope; Coherence and Engagement; Eudaemonia and Ataraxia
    Date: Monday, 19 May. Time: 16:00 UTC.

    Tailoring Solutions to Local Communities (with International Federation of Medical Student Associations)
    Date: Tuesday, 20 May. Time: 10:00 UTC.

    Lessons from the MDD Minds Project
    Date: Wednesday, 21 May. Time: 13:00 UTC.

    FEATURED DOCTOR: This special World Family Doctor Day edition features Dr Sunil Abraham, a family doctor and faculty member at Christian Medical College in Vellore, India. In this interview, recorded at the WONCA South Asia Regional Conference 2025, he shares personal insights from working with underserved communities in India and Australia, and reflects on the emotional challenges of a career in medicine, and the importance of self-care, spiritual grounding, and mental resilience for family doctors.

    Check the WONCA Playlist including President’s message and a performance of Three Little Birds, from Bob Marley and the Wailers performed by family doctors from across the globe:

    Donate here to support WONCA functions.

    RUN WITH WONCA: As we count down to World Family Doctor Day 2025, we’re inviting the global WONCA community to lace up and get moving together. Physical activity is one of the simplest, most powerful tools we have to support our mental wellness – and it’s even better when we do it as a community. That’s why we’ve launched the WONCA Running Club on Strava.

    Join our Running Club: Strava is a mobile app that lets you track your runs, walks, or bike rides using your phone or smartwatch. It’s also a social platform where you can join clubs, follow friends, and cheer each other on. This year’s campaign theme is Building Mental Resilience in a Changing World. Our WONCA running club is a fun, low-pressure way to care for your own mental health, connect with colleagues, and feel part of a shared global movement. Join us here.

  • Bid for the 11th EYFDM Forum

    Bid for the 11th EYFDM Forum

    The EYFDM Executive Board invites Europe Council Members to submit bids to host the 11th EYFDM Forum which should take place after WONCA Europe Paris 2026 (30 June-3 July 2026) and before the WONCA Europe Ljubljana 2027(8-13 June 2027).
    National representatives interested in hosting are invited to submit proposals to secretary. The deadline for submissions will be the end of July 2025.
    Candidates should prepare a PDF document and a PowerPoint or videopre sentation. The PDF document should not exceed 10 pages and tables/diagrams. Good graphic design is welcome.
    Informal enquiries are welcome and should be addressed to the Events Officer.

  • 9th Forum – Grand Region

    9th Forum – Grand Region

    The 9th EYFDM Forum just flew by these last 3 days, allowing participants to expand and share their knowledge, expertise and insights both during the scientific programme and social events, while getting to know colleagues from all over Europe and even other regions.

    It was a great event and we thank our hosts for making the first tri-national Forum.

    Before the start of the event, the Council meet to discuss some important issues, namely concerns regarding conflicts, its effect on healthcare and its discussion within EYFDM and WONCA. Social Media Guidelines were discussed and approved and will be shared within the coming days. We also got a sneak peak of the next events – namely the Pre-Conference of the WONCA World Lisbon 2025 and 10th EYFDM Forum in Tallinn, Estonia 2026.

    The prestigious Fons Sips Award was awarded to Raisa Álvarez Paniagua, nominated by Helena Alonso. We congratulate the colleagues also nominated: Fabian Dupont, İkbal Hümay Arman, Nick Mamo, and their nominators Stuart Holmes, Şeyma Handan Akyon and Kerry Greenan. This award honors outstanding work in the field of Family Medicine and the meaningful impact that has been made within the EYFDM community.

    We thank everyone involved in the event – including HOC, staff at the different venues, participants, speakers, reviewers, colleagues that submitted abstracts.

    We wish everyone a safe journey and hope to see you in coming events.

  • 10th EYFDM Forum Tallinn

    10th EYFDM Forum Tallinn

    The 10th EYFDM Forum will be held in Tallinn, Estonia, on 30-31 January 2026 .
    In an era of limitless information, distinguishing facts from fiction is more critical than ever—especially in family medicine. Under the theme “Fishing for facts: navigating the sea of information in family medicine”, we will explore the challenges and opportunities of evidence-based practice, misinformation, and digital health. Cast your net wide, sharpen your critical thinking, and join us in charting the course for the future of primary care!

    Registration opens: 1st of May

    📍For detailed information about the programme, registration, abstract submission and more, please visit: eyfdmforum2026.eu
    📸 Follow the event on Instagram @eyfdmforum2026
    📱 And join our WhatsApp group to get the latest news and updates!
    https://bit.ly/eyfdmforum2026whatsapp

    Hope to see you all in Tallinn 2026!

  • YDM Pre-Conference Exchange 2025

    YDM Pre-Conference Exchange 2025

    Applications for the YDM Pre-Conference Exchange 2025 in Lisbon are NOW OPEN.

    This is your chance to immerse yourself in the Portuguese healthcare system, shadow GPs in their practice, and engage in community-orientated initiatives. You’ll also have the opportunity to share insights from your own country’s healthcare system and learn from colleagues coming from around the world.

    • Date: Monday, September 15, 2025

    • Application Deadline: May 15, 2025

    • Selection Process: Applications will be reviewed by your National Exchange Coordinator. If your country does not have one, the Pre-Conference Organising Committee or Regional Coordinators will handle the selection.

    • Notification: Selected participants will be informed by June 15, 2025.

    Don’t miss this unique opportunity—apply now and be part of this valuable experience!

    Submit your application here!

  • Primary Care Show Conference Exchange May 2025

    Primary Care Show Conference Exchange May 2025

    Would you like to do an exchange to the UK before attending a conference?

    Junior International Committee RCGP Exchange Team is organising the Primary Care Show Conference Exchange in UK from 12th to 15th May 2025 (Monday to Thursday).

    Deadline to submit you application: Friday 28th March 2025

  • Application for Bursaries – WONCA Lisbon 2025

    Application for Bursaries – WONCA Lisbon 2025

    Refund

    5 applicants will receive 900 € to attend YDM Preconference and WONCA World Conference in Lisbon.

    The refund can cover:

    • registration fee for the YDM Preconference Lisbon 2025
    • registration fee for the WONCA World Conference Lisbon 2025
    • the cost of flight tickets to YDM Preconference and WONCA World Conference in Lisbon
    • the cost of accommodation during YDM Preconference and WONCA World Conference in Lisbon

    Any costs in excess of the bursary allocation will need to be covered by the bursary holder.

    Documents

    1. Application form (saved Name_AF_Lisbon 2025_Europe) (see below)
    2. Proof of a young doctor status: GP trainee or during the first 5 years after training (saved as Name_Status_Lisbon2025_Europe).
    3. Applicant’s picture (saved as Name_Picture_Lisbon2025_Europe)

    All the documents must be sent to EYFDMBursaries2025 by the 30th of April.
    The applicants will be informed about results through emails by the 31st of May.

    Other Requirements

    1. The applicant will be asked to describe her/his experience (using 250- 500 words) within one month after attending the event.
    2. The applicant will be asked to send proof of incurred costs (e.g.bills, invoices).
    3. The applicant has to attend both events: the WONCA World Conference and the YDM Preconference.

    Inclusion Criteria – to receive the bursary you must:

    1. Be a young family physician (a family medicine trainee or up to 5 years after finishing training, valid in September 2025)
    2. Be a member of a WONCA Europe National Member Organisation of WONCA (valid on the 30th April 2025). You can check it here.
    3. Prove your attendance at both the WONCA World Conference and the YDM Preconference in Lisbon
    4. Send a report of your experience within one month after the event.
    5. Not live in Portugal
    6. Not be a winner of a previous WONCA / EYFDM (previously VdGM) fund or scholarship.

    Failure to meet these requirements, including to send a report of her/his experience within one month after the event fails to prove the incurred costs.

    See more information on the bursaries below:

  • Family Medicine Initiative

    Family Medicine Initiative

    As we ramp up to 9th forum in the Grand Region, we would like to remind of a website spotlighted by a keynote lecturer in the last Forum in Vienna, Dr. Florian Stigler. We particularly recommend this post in particular, focusing in the importance of Family Medicine:

    You can also subscribe to Golden Nuggets of Family Medicine – Essential Family Medicine Updates as 1-min-reads.

  • International Eastern Black Sea Family Medicine Congress 2025

    International Eastern Black Sea Family Medicine Congress 2025

    We are honored to invite not only the Family Medicine branch but also all branches that we manage diseases together with a multidisciplinary approach to our third International Eastern Black Sea Family Medicine Congress to be held on May 22-24, 2025 at Ordu, Türkiye.

    In our congress, with the participation of our speakers who have knowledge and experience in the national and international fields, we have prepared a strong program that will contribute to our practical applications with rich scientific content in the light of current literature information. A congress awaits us with trainings, oral presentations, hours where we find answers to our questions in hybrid sessions with interactive participation, and social programs where we will get away from fatigue and stress.

    We are looking forward to the participation of our guests from all our provinces, especially the Black Sea Region, and from various countries of the world in our congress.

    Therefore, we are announcing free online registration bursaries for 20 international participants who will present their papers in our congress.

    Winners of the scholarship will be selected according to the acceptance date of the oral presentation. For more information please visit our website: www.kahsed.com

    Our unity will add strength to our strength and carry the value and vision of the Family Medicine specialty discipline to higher levels for the future. Hope to see you at our congress.

    Best regards,

    On behalf of the Organizing Committee