Keywords: Family Practice, Medical Staff, Hospital, Professional Training, Internship and Residency

Background:

Family Medicine (FM) plays a central role in healthcare systems across Europe by delivering accessible, patient-centered, and longitudinal care—contributing to improved survival, as well as, reducing hospitalizations, and emergency visits. FM training typically spans 3-6 years and combines theoretical instruction with hands-on practice to ensure the development of core competencies. These include clinical decision-making under uncertainty, effective communication, and working in resource-limited settings. However, significant disparities persist across countries regarding training content, structure, and assessment of training programmes, potentially impacting the quality and consistency of care.

Research questions:

What is the current landscape of FM residency programs across Europe, in terms of structure, implementation, and evaluation practices?

Method:

A cross-sectional descriptive study is being conducted across 53 European countries. Data are collected through a self-administered online questionnaire designed by a core research team of FM experts. Respondents are national key informants affiliated with EURACT, EGPRN, or WONCA Europe and all actively engaged in FM education or training. The variables collected addresses structure ( residency entry pathways, training duration) , implementation (balance of theory vs. practical components) and evaluation. Data collection takes place from August to September 2025, with validation provided by a second national expert and a FM resident. Quality assurance involves cross-validation and clarification by the core team. Quantitative analysis will be conducted using STATA 16.

Results:

Conclusions:

This study will provide an updated and comprehensive overview of FM residency training across Europe, highlighting current variations and highlighting the need for standardized harmonized standards. Findings will inform the development of a unified European curriculum and support future steps toward implementing a shared final assessment, ensuring that core competencies are recognized across all countries. This work aims to guide support evidence-based educational policy and promote high-quality, consistent FM training throughout the European region.

Points for discussion:

Should Family physicians have the same competences all over Europe?

How can we overcome training gaps within countries?

How can we overcome training gaps?