WONCA EUROPE 2008
Weaver Vale Practice, Runcorn E-mail: anitakor{at}doctors.org.uk
Heathville Surgery, Gloucester, UK E-mail: cliona_doyle{at}hotmail.com
Tower House Practice, Runcorn, Chesire, UK, E-mail: pdgrocock{at}doctors.org.uk
Manchester Road Surgery, Sheffield, UK, E-mail: rowan.langton{at}doctors.org.uk
Newly qualified GP, London
WONCA EUROPE 2008 opened with fire! The enigmatic city of Istanbul, where east meets west, provided a rich cultural backdrop suitable for the theme of the 14th Regional WONCA conference: ‘Overcoming the Distance’.
We sat alongside 4778 international family medicine practitioners for the opening ceremony; an inspiring lecture from the WONCA president followed by the vigor and passion of the world record-holding ‘Fire of Anatolia’ dance group. The dynamism displayed by this group persisted over the following three days of the conference.
We were among a group of trainees and newly qualified GPs who had the opportunity to attend. Dr Mbang Ana (Beds and Herts), Dr Cliona Doyle (Severn), Dr Pusbar Grocock (Mersey), Dr Anita Koruth (Mersey), Dr Rowan Langton (Sheffield) and Dr Luisa Pettigrew (London) were selected by their local deaneries (see photo). Dr Soleman Begg (Northern) and Dr Moontarin Ansar (East Scotland) attended as Associates in Training, also taking part in the pre-conference. Dr Liz Brown (London) presented an exciting poster looking at views on the HPV immunization programme in the UK.
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With 189 sessions in 21 lecture halls over 3 days, it was a challenge in itself choosing where to go! So, our choices were as varied as us—including ethics workshops where we engaged in passionate discussion with our European counterparts on issues including palliative care, euthanasia, electronic records and direct consumer advertising among other thought-provoking topics. There were presentations on different European approaches to health-care systems, vocational training and research among innumerable others. We were offered lectures on up to date evidence-based medicine, clinical and research topics. The meeting area with over 50 stands and 600 poster presentations became the focal point for discussion and networking during breaks. We learnt about European organizations for training (EURACT), research (EGPRN), health prevention (EUROPREV) and rural GPs (EURIPA) among many others.
Uniting all young GPs were the Vasco de Gama Movement (VdGM) group meetings. VdGM is a European group of GP trainees and newly qualified GPs who formed in 2004. They have five theme groups ‘education and training’, ‘research’, ‘exchange’, ‘recruitment’ and ‘image’. They aim to provide a forum for young GPs to exchange ideas and experiences, thus develop themselves and general practice in their own countries. Inspiring workshops on the Hippokrates exchange programme and on collaborating in research motivated us to seek greater international activity within our vocation training schemes. As a group of UK delegates supported by our deaneries, we feel it is our duty is to bring back our renewed enthusiasm for such schemes in general practice, with each of us providing individual reports to our faculty on our learning and ideas from this unique experience.
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We managed to fit in some time for socializing despite the busy conference schedule. The notable highlights were an evening for all junior doctors hosted by the Dutch VdGM organization (LOVAH/WES) and a Bosphorous cruise (see photo) organized by the RCGP.
Attending the conference was a fantastic opportunity that gave us all a broader perspective on our chosen career. We hope that other trainees will feel encouraged to find out more about WONCA and VdGM, as over the following months, we hope to work alongside the RCGP to set up a UK delegation of the VdGM. Watch this space!
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