Useful Information
The 2014 #VdGM Preconference
We are very happy to welcome you in the 10th VdGM Anniversary Preconference, which will be carried out in Lisbon on 1-2 July 2014, prior to the WONCA Europe Conference. The event is organized by the Vasco da Gama Movement, and is open to trainees and junior General Practitioners / Family Physicians (GPs/FPs), up to five years after their qualification.
The following information will help you to get an idea of what the Preconference entails.
WHAT IS THE AIM OF THE WORLD PRECONFERENCE?
The Vasco da Gama Movement organises an annual meeting just a day before the WONCA Europe Conference, in which participants coming from all over Europe have the exceptional opportunity to communicate, convey their own points of view and broaden their horizons while learning from other countries, cultures and contexts.
WHAT'S THE CONTENT OF THE PRECONFERENCE?
The theme of this year’s preconference is “New Routes for General Practice and Family Medicine”.
The participants will have the opportunity to:
a) meet trainees and juniors GPs/FPs from other countries and have an introduction to GP/FM in the Global Context;
b) become acquainted with various national profiles and be able to compare the different primary care systems at different levels: health systems organization, status of GP/FM and vocational training programs;
c) discuss and elaborate visions for the future of GP/FM. The following themes will be part of group work sessions:
- improvement of practice, quality, teaching and research of GP/FM in other countries;
- development of GP/FM to meet the needs of patients in an increasingly complex field within a rapidly changing society characterized by rising demands from individuals and ever-growing medical possibilities;
- working conditions corresponding to the needs of the upcoming generation of family doctors.
- exchange in GP/FM.
d) understand the importance of international peer networks.
The Preconference will include the celebration of the 10th anniversary of VdGM, with some surprises and an exciting celebration of the work of this working group.
The visionary speech will be by João Sequeira Carlos (the first President of VdGM). A plenary session will follow with the presentation of all group works.
INFORMATION ABOUT THE REGISTRATION
The Preconference is open to every trainee or new GP/FP, up to 5 years after his/her qualification, who wishes to participate. However, there are 85 places available and registrations will be carried out in a first-come, first-served basis.
Please note that even though there is no selection of the participants, we highly recommend that they will be trainees and junior colleagues who haven’t been in touch with VdGM and the WONCA family yet. The registration fee for the Preconference is 65,00 €.
FURTHER INFORMATION
Information is available online and will be updated regularly. Please don’t hesitate to contact us for any questions by e-mail: preconference@vdgm.eu.
Further information can be found on our website and social networks:
- Website: www.vdgm.eu
- Facebook: www.tiny.cc/facebookvdgm
- Twitter: @vdgmeu
- LinkedIn Group: www.tiny.cc/invdgm
- LinkedIn Company Page: www.linkedin.com/company/vasco-da-gama-movement
VASCO DA GAMA MOVEMENT
The name of the great Portuguese explorer, who discovered the sea route towards India almost five hundred years ago, has been employed by the Vasco da Gama Movement (VdGM), the working network within WONCA Europe, dedicated to trainees and junior Family Doctors. As they set out for their own exploratory voyage in the discipline of General Practice / Family Medicine (GP/FM) in Europe, the Movement functions as a communication platform and encourages their first steps by providing support and information.
Since its inception in Lisbon in 2005, links have been established with most GP/FM associations to create a European Council of representatives. Each year VdGM hosts an international meeting, known as the ‘Pre-conference', which takes place a day prior to the WONCA Europe conference.
The Movement has five working theme groups (Education & Training, Exchange, Research, Beyond Europe and Image) that constitute the pillars of its initiatives. These often work in collaboration with their equivalent WONCA Europe special interest networks. Some of the activities of the theme groups include the improvement of the quality of GP/FM training programmes, the establishment of a network for research projects and the promotion of Rural Medicine.
Moreover, the Junior Researcher Award has been launched following the movement’s continuous effort to promote a new generation of Family Doctors that combine clinical work and research. VdGM also offers the unique opportunity for trainees and juniors to spend two weeks with a GP/FP from another country through the Hippokrates Exchange Programme. The most formative exchange experiences are awarded with the Hippokrates and Claudio Carosino Prizes each year.
Furthermore, our Movement has established the VdGM Fund, which was born from the observation of the unbearable inequalities and the on-going economic crisis, which afflict our continent and prevent many colleagues from joining international activities. Thanks to generous donations, VdGM has managed to offer bursaries in support of young and future colleagues.
All in all, our mission is a global one and entails the foundation of a forum for collaboration to improve GP/FM. Through our activities we aim at empowering the future generations of Family Doctors to lead the development of primary health care at a regional, national and international level.
If you are interesting in joining one of the VdGM activities or theme groups, please do not hesitate to register on our website or join us at one of the conference activities.
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: 20 APRIL 2014
Only 85 registrations will be considered.
Only paid registrations will be accepted. Payment must be made during the registration process.
