On October 20-22, 2022, a meeting of the Council of the European Academy of Teachers in General Practice/Family Medicine (EURACT) was held in Krakow. EURACT's mission is to support the development of family medicine by improving teaching in this area at all levels of medical education. Family doctors in Poland (and all over Europe) know it best thanks to Leonardo EURACT courses, i.e. trainings for teachers of family medicine, but also Bled course, European educational conferences, several statements and position papers and other numerous initiatives related to GP/FM education.
It has been a second EURACT meeting in Poland - the previous one took place in 1999, also in Krakow. This year, the EURACT Council meeting was particularly solemn, as the organization is celebrating its 30th anniversary.
One of the most important moments of the meeting was the ceremonial session organized in the beautifully renovated seat of the Krakow Medical Chamber, during which Professor Adam Windak familiarized the participants with the working conditions of family doctors in Poland, as well as the challenges faced by Polish family doctors in the field of family medicine education.
The second lecture was given by Jan Heyrman, Professor Emeritus of the Catholic University of Leuven in Belgium - founder and first President of EURACT. He shared with the participants of the meeting his reflections on the changes that have taken place over the years in the field of teaching family medicine in Europe. The session was completed, or actually graced, by the daring performance of the Choir of the Krakow Medical Chamber, which gathered applause not so much while standing, but "dancing", because many were attracted to this by the beautiful rhythms of Polish and international hits of classical and popular music (Cichosza, Mamma Mia , Lion the King, Highlander Suite). The main meeting agenda was filled with numerous plenary sessions and the work of EURACT standing committees and task forces.
Finally, on the occasion of the 30th anniversary, all Council members planted together a commemorative tree, which is to grow not only in memory of this meeting, but also for the glory and success of family medicine education.
More information on EURACT's activities can be found at https://euract.woncaeurope.org/
