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.”
The council also endorsed the WONCA Europe Statement on the Recognition of the Speciality of Family Medicine / General Practice in the European Region, as well as Climate Emergency Statement:
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.
Lastly some updates about upcoming events were shared, such as WONCA Europe Paris 2026, the 11th EYFDM Forum Malaga, Spain (registration and abstract submission are now open) as well as the collaboration with EuroPrev Madrid with a pre-forum.
