Strengthening the Voice of Family Medicine: New Study Maps Policy Advocacy Across Europe

Published on 31 March 2026.

A landmark study published in the European Journal of General Practice provides a comprehensive evaluation of how Family Medicine (FM) associations are influencing healthcare policy across the continent.

The research, titled "Primary health care policy advocacy in Europe: A cross-sectional study of family medicine associations," led by Raquel Gómez-Bravo and a distinguished team of European researchers, underscores the critical role of advocacy in sustaining high-quality Primary Health Care (PHC).

The Advocacy Landscape

While European healthcare has a strong tradition of evidence-based policy, the specific involvement of Family Medicine associations has previously been under-researched. This cross-sectional study involved WONCA Europe Member Organisations and General Practitioners (GPs) across 17 countries to identify priorities and systemic barriers.

Common Challenges Across Borders

The results reveal a striking consensus on the pressures facing the profession. Regardless of the specific national healthcare model, European FM associations identified several "red-flag" issues:

  • Workforce & Wellbeing: Severe shortages and high workloads leading to burnout risks.

  • Systemic Gaps: Inadequate infrastructure and insufficient financial compensation.

  • Academic Recognition: The need for deeper integration of Family Medicine into university curricula.

  • Social Equity: A growing focus on gender equality and increasing the public visibility of GPs as the backbone of the health system.

Engagement with Power

Encouragingly, the study found that 11 of the responding organizations are already actively engaged in policy discussions with their respective national governments. This demonstrates that Family Medicine is increasingly "at the table" when it comes to healthcare reform.

However, the authors conclude that a fragmented approach is no longer enough. To influence large-scale institutional bodies like the WHO or the European Commission effectively, a more unified European strategy is required.

The Role of WONCA Europe

The WONCA Europe Working Party on Policy Advocacy is cited as a vital engine for this unified front. By fostering the exchange of best practices and providing a platform for research-backed advocacy, the Working Party helps national organizations translate local challenges into European-level solutions.

"Continued research and advocacy are essential for sustaining effective and equitable Primary Health Care in Europe," the study concludes.

 

Access the Full Research

WONCA Europe encourages all members, academic partners, and policymakers to review the full findings to better understand the advocacy needs of our profession.