18 December 2024

The year in review: European doctors’ highlights from 2024

As 2024 closes, it is a moment of endings and new beginnings. In November, our association elected a new Board of Directors, which takes office in January, and the current Board is finalising its term. At the European level, a new European Commission has taken office following the election of the new European Parliament earlier in the year. Here we share some of European doctors’ selected highlights from 2024.

Presented five ambitions to continue building European Health Union to President Metsola

We published five ambitions to keep building the European Health Union in a meeting with the President of the European Parliament, MEP Roberta Metsola, prior to June’s European elections. The ambitions were further explored in our winter magazine.

Dr Ole Johan Bakke elected President

Dr Ole Johan Bakke (Norway) was elected as President during our General Assembly in Amsterdam. He will serve a three year term from 2025 to 2027, having previously served as Vice-President since 2019. The General Assembly elected four Vice-Presidents. Dr Andreas Botzlar, Dr Péter Álmos, and Dr Kitty Mohan will join the continuing Vice-President Dr Jacqueline Rossant-Lumbroso. Professor Dr Ray Walley was elected as Treasurer, having served as Vice-President from 2019.

Celebrated 175th anniversary of the Royal Dutch Medical Association by discussing digitisation of healthcare

Doctors from across Europe celebrated the 175th anniversary of the Royal Dutch Medical Association (RDMA) in Amsterdam. To commemorate the milestone, the RDMA is hosted a conference themed 'The European Doctor and Digital Health' at the iconic NEMO Science Museum.

Called for action on health workforce, amid ongoing strike action in Slovenia

As the leaders and representatives of national medical associations from across Europe gathered for our General Assembly in Ljubljana in March, we called for action to support our Slovenian colleagues in the midst of the nation’s longest ever doctors’ strike.

Published recommendations for AI to meet the needs of clinical practice

Our policy, adopted in November, provides recommendations to improve the uptake of AI in healthcare, with a focus on clinical decision-making AI systems. It urges that the main purpose for the integration of AI in healthcare should be the improvement of clinical practice, therefore technology needs to be embedded in clinical pathways. Those developing the digital tools need to learn the real needs of healthcare professionals, patients and their carers and guardians.

Called to keep standards high for quality of basic medical education

Our policy on the quality of basic medical education calls for authorities at the national and European level to take action to safeguard the high standards of medical education.

Urged policy-makers to ensure commercial influence does not harm public health

Our policy highlights the negative impact of commercial determinants on health and urging policy-making to be evidence-based and ethical for the benefit of public health.

Emphasised that better climate policy equals better health

Together with the Lancet Countdown, the Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) and the Association of Schools of Public Health in the European Region (ASPHER) we published policy priorities on climate change and health. In this regard, we welcomed the confirmation of revised EU air quality rules.

Looked towards the implementation of the European Health Data Space

We welcomed the adoption of the provisional agreement on the European Health Data Space and provided recommendations on electronic health record (EHR) systems, calling for healthcare professionals to be involved in the conception and their design to ensure trust, usability and collaboration between patients and healthcare providers.

Provided doctors vision for the EU pharmaceutical legislation

We welcomed the European Parliament reports of the revision of the EU General Pharmaceutical Legislation, calling for future negotiations to guarantee accessibility and effectiveness of medicines for patients. We also urged for legislators to maintain paper package leaflets, and supported enhanced transparency in relations with healthcare industry.

Discussed solutions to combat shortage crises with community pharmacists

In a joint event with the Pharmaceutical Group of the European Union (PGEU), we exchanged views on solutions for shortages of medicines, medical devices and healthcare professionals with policy-makers, academics and professionals. Read a full report in our summer magazine.

Warned of threats to independence of medical profession

We published a statement highlighting increasing challenges to the independence of the medical profession reported by national medical associations across Europe. This causes a threat to doctors, patients and society as a whole if it is not safeguarded and reinforced.