Following the resounding success of the 4th EURACT Medical Education Conference held in IaΘi, Romania (23–25 April 2026), the European Academy of Teachers in General Practice/Family Medicine has officially released its Post-Conference Statement and Key Conclusions.
Bringing together teachers, trainers, researchers, family doctors, medical students, and professional leaders from across Europe, the conference focused intently on the theme: “Teaching Tomorrow’s Family Doctors: Keeping Patients Close at Heart in the Digital Era.”
π Balancing Innovation with Humanity
The conference explored how GP/FM can successfully integrate digital innovation while fiercely preserving person-centered care, continuity, communication, and core professional values. Key sessions tackled:
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Ethics & Humanity: Navigating the digital transition in medical education.
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Modern Learning Models: Scaling clinical education through virtual and blended models for real-time practice.
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The AI Frontier: Mapping both the immense opportunities and potential pitfalls of Artificial Intelligence in GP/FM.
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The Student Voice: A highly impactful student perspective challenged educators to reconsider how future generations will learn and what they truly need from their training environments.
ποΈ Strengthening the Influence of GP/FM
A major highlight was the high-level Round Table discussion: “How can we improve the influence of General Practice in our countries and in Europe? What are the issues? What are the solutions?”
Featuring leaders from WONCA Europe, UEMO, EYFDM, academic bodies, and professional organizations, participants emphasized the urgent strategic need to strengthen the visibility, academic standing, and policy influence of GP/FM throughout the European landscape.
π Key Conference Conclusions
The conference demonstrated that GP/FM is not a passive observer of technological change, but an active leader. Moving forward, EURACT highlights six critical pillars for the future of medical education:
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The Human-Tech Balance: GP/FM education must continue to combine technological innovation with person-centered, relationship-based care.
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Support, Don't Replace: Digital tools, AI, simulation, and point-of-care technologies should enhance—not replace—clinical reasoning, communication, and continuity of care.
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Workforce Pipeline: Early and longitudinal exposure to GP/FM during undergraduate medical education remains absolutely essential to strengthening the future primary care workforce.
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Evidence-Informed Evolution: Educational innovation should remain evidence-informed, context-sensitive, and strictly aligned with student needs.
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Broad Collaboration: Active collaboration between educators, trainees, policymakers, professional organizations, and patients is necessary to bolster the influence of GP/FM in Europe.
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EURACT's Advocacy: EURACT reaffirms its commitment to supporting faculty training, curriculum innovation, and ongoing advocacy for the full recognition and strengthening of GP/FM as a distinct medical specialty across all European countries.
EURACT extends its deepest gratitude to all contributors, stakeholders, and participants who made this landmark event a catalyst for the future of family medicine.