Welcome to the 26th WONCA Europe Virtual Conference Programme Scheduling

Abstract Body

Background

Undergraduate medical education is mostly still based on a biomedical pathway and clinical experience gained mainly in specialised hospitals. To fill the lack of family doctors, mainly in rural, remote and underdeveloped urban regions, it is necessary to teach medical students early in the undergraduate medical education in situ in these sectors. The workshop will demonstrate examples of strategies in teaching in rural health and gather expectations to influence change.

Aims and learning objectives

The aim of the workshop is to demonstrate what is taking place in teaching rural health in different European countries and, after discussion, to identify some key actions that EURIPA can take forward to effect change.

Methods and timetable

This workshop will be chaired by the European Rural and Isolated Practitioners Association (EURIPA) and it will be structured in three parts:

The first part will demonstrate examples of strategies in teaching rural health in different European countries

Second will be a discussion with the participants in groups focusing on:
1. What are the experiences in your country in implementation topics in teaching rural health?
2. What are the barriers in implementation of teaching programs in rural health?
3. How can we influence change in the medical schools - Bottom up or top down?

Finally we will bring the groups back together to identify key issues that EURIPA can take forward.

(Proposed) Results / Conclusions

At the end of the workshop we should have some new ideas in teaching rural health and key actions for EURIPA as to how we can influence change so that the rural workforce is fit for the future.