In this newsletter we would like to report about the Florence pre-conference meeting. Also we are proud to inform you on the organisational progress we have made in 2006.
Vasco da Gama movement is the WONCA Europe working group for young and future General Practitioners. The movement is the continuation of the work that was started during the first preconference meeting for junior doctors during the WONCA Europe conference in Amsterdam in 2004.
Third Pre-conference meeting Florence 2006
The third pre-conference meeting for Junior Doctors in GP/FM took place on the 28th and 29th of August 2006 in Florence-Italy, preceding the 12th WONCA Europe conference. It was hosted by the Italian Host Organizing Committee and organised by the Vasco da Gama Movement in collaboration with EURACT under the aegis of WONCA Europe. Twenty European countries responded positively to the invitational letter and each sent 1–2 junior doctors to the pre-conference meeting. In addition 12 junior doctor delegates represented Italy. Consequently a total of 42 participants from 20 countries participated this year. The delegates were distributed in 4 groups; each group guided by two experienced facilitators -one being a board member of the European Academy of Teachers (EURACT) and one Italian GP/FM teacher. Each group exchanged experiences and opinions about the European definition of general practice and the Educational Agenda. The four groups worked hard and produced interesting presentations at the final session. Again it was an eye-opener that there were so many differences in training schemes and the role of the GP in the health care system of the different European countries. Several conclusions phrased the surprise and concern about these discrepancies. The question is, however, whether the pre-conference meeting of trainees and young doctors is powerful enough to act on a European level. The verb: “Think globally, act locally”, seems to be more effective. Indeed, several of those who have attended prior meetings stated that they have accomplished a lot as a result of the inspiring discussions; e.g. founding a national trainee organisation, inviting the minister of health to the practice, organising recruitment. The final presentations contained many interesting suggestions for local use and also for European initiatives.
WONCA Europe Conference Florence 2006
During the main conference Vasco da Gama Movement presented two workshops addressing problems and needs of junior doctors. In one of the workshop a junior doctors presented a personal professional development plan, using the expertise of EURACT and EGPRN members. The workshop'Personal Development for Starters' covered the emotional impact of medical mistakes.
Since these workshops were positively evaluated, VdGM is planning to present similar workshops relating to junior doctor issues at the WONCA World Conference in Singapore 2007.
New website Vasco da Gama Movement
For summaries of the presentations at the conference as well as the preconference meeting and other VdGM issues, please refer to our new website www.vdgm.eu
First unofficial Vasco da Gama Europe Council meeting
During the WONCA Europe conference in Paris 2007, the Vasco da Gama Europe Council will be installed. Every WONCA Europe member country will be invited to send one national delegate to participate in this council. Twenty one official delegates have already met in Florence during a pleasant informal get together.
Fourth Pre-conference meeting Paris 2007
VdGM has already established good contact with the French Host Organising Committee in preparing for the 2007 invitational pre-conference meeting in Paris. We have been invited to actively participate in three keynote lectures during the main conference. A reduced conference fee for all junior doctors has been negotiated. For more information please link to www.woncaeurope2007.org
Collaboration with WONCA Europe
Vasco da Gama movement is very pleased with the official recognition and support by WONCA Europe. An agreement was approved during the WONCA Europe Council Meeting in Florence, 27 August 2006. VdGM will work closely with WONCA Europe and core networks (EURACT, EGPRN and EQuiP) to promote the discipline of General Practice/ Family Medicine. We will contribute, where appropriate, to documents of WONCA Europe and liaised networks, especially in regard to representing opinion of young and future GPs/FPs. A VdGM Executive Group member is invited as observer in annual WONCA Europe Council meeting and WONCA Europe has granted financial support for VdGM activities. All WONCA Europe member organisations have agreed to provide financial support for participation of two national junior doctor representatives in VdGM pre-conference meetings. We will actively seek involvement of participants from all WONCA Europe countries and establish contact with national organisations of junior doctors. We are looking forward to continuing our contribution to the development of General Practice/ Family Medicine in Europe and worldwide. We hope to inspire many young and Future GP's, don't hesitate to join us on our journey!