Since our last newsletter, published in this journal in October 2006, many new activities have been undertaken by members of the Vasco da Gama Movement (VdGM), the European movement for GP trainees and newly qualified doctors (up to 5 years after completing their training). In this newsletter, we would like to inform you of these activities, and we would also like to present our short-term plans.
What activities have been established during the last 6 months by the Executive Group and the different theme groups of the Vasco da Gama Movement?
In January 2007, the Executive Group met in Mechelen, Belgium. Three French VdGM members liaising with HOC 2007 were also invited. We have made further progress concerning organization of the VdGM pre-conference in Paris, October 2007. We have also agreed on the final draft for the VdGM constitution.
The Theme Group on Education and Training is working on a joint project with EGPRN on the Evaluation of the Educational Agenda. One of our Italian junior doctors is particularly active in this project, and a translation of the Educational Agenda into the Italian language has been made for this purpose.
The Theme Group on Research has established its internal communication network among young researchers, and it has exchanged information about the current research projects that they are undertaking. The group will soon put forward a draft for the previously proposed “Young Researcher” Award, which we hope to present to you in the next newsletter.
The Theme Group on Exchange has published questionnaires on our website trying to revive the Hippocrates programme. There has actually been one documented Hippocrates exchange visit to Denmark.
The Theme Group on Image has done a great job in developing our website. The website has had more than 2500 page views in the last six months, and there has also been considerable activity on the VdGM forum.
The Theme Group on Recruitment will present a workshop on recruitment solutions, also highlighting a rural practice (contact with EURIPA on this joint-interest subject is being established).
Other activities
VdGM has played an important role in facilitating, participating, and networking in the following international exchanges and conferences:
Ireland Exchange (35 European trainees)
LOVAH/WES Exchange, the Netherlands (approx. 35 European trainees)
Poland Conference (one presentation by VdGM)
Nijmegen EGPRN Meeting, the Netherlands (delegates of VdGM)
Antalya Conference, Turkey (two presentations by VdGM members)
Wonca World Conference Singapore (a VdGM-invited symposium on junior doctor issues and development of regional junior doctor network organizations by three VdGM members)
Reports from these exchange visits and conferences have been published in national papers in Austria, Germany, the Netherlands, Turkey, and Denmark.
New network organizations
VdGM is very happy with its collaboration with recently established national network organizations for junior doctors in GP/FM in Austria, Switzerland, and Italy.
Finances
During the Wonca World meeting, the WONCA Executive Board kindly offered us structural funding to support our ongoing and future activities.
What are the plans for the coming six months?
Besides the continuation of our ongoing projects, our main focus will be on the Wonca Europe Paris Conference in October 2007. Prior to the conference, VdGM will organize another pre-conference meeting for approximately 50 European GP trainees and young GPs in co-operation with EURACT. We will also organize the first VdGM Europe Council meeting. The 21 members (those who have been confirmed by their national organizations as junior doctor representatives) have a full-day programme: a master-class on international meeting skills, a session discussing new ideas for the movement, voting on the proposed constitution, and participation in the election procedure for Executive Group members.
Meetings are planned with HOC 2008 about pre-conference planning, and planning with HOC 2009 has also been initiated.
During the Wonca Europe Conference, VdGM members will organize three workshops and will participate in three keynote lectures in cooperation with speakers from EURACT, EGPRN, and EQUIP.
If you would like to find out more information, please check out our website: www.vdgm.eu