Keywords: Primary Health Care, Family Physician, Medical Education.

Background:

Continuing Medical Education (CME) is well established as a mechanism for family doctors (FDs) to update their knowledge and skills. In several countries across the WHO European Region, recertification is required to ensure professional competence, although the requirements vary widely.

Research questions:

What are the requirements to CME exist to remain in clinical practice as FDs, and what similarities and differences can be identified between countries?

Method:

A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted using a structured questionnaire. National key informants (FDs) were recruited through WONCA Europe and WHO Europe networks. Each country submitted one response. Data were independently reviewed by two researchers, with clarification sought when needed. At the time of this interim analysis, 83 key informants from 41 countries had agreed to participate, with complete and validated data available from 29 countries.

Results:

CME was mandatory in 53.5% of countries (n=15). The average recertification interval was 5.1 years (95% CI: 4.2–6.0). CME requirements were expressed heterogeneously, including hours, CME credits, ECTS credits or college points. The average ECTS credits per 5 years was 201 ECTS in 5 years (95% CI: 156.6–246.2). Eight countries provided paid day leave for CME with a mean of 9.5 days per year (95% CI: 5.6–13.4). In ten countries (58.8%), recertification could not be obtained by private companies. One country required a formal examination for recertification. Mandatory courses were required in ten countries (52.6%), with defined lists in seven. Attendance at scientific conferences was mandatory in four countries (21.1%). Scientific publications were required in one country (5.3%) and recommended in two (10.5%).

Conclusions:

Although CME is established in most European countries, it is not universally mandatory, and assessment systems remain highly heterogeneous. These preliminary findings highlight the need for clearer legal frameworks and greater harmonisation—particularly within the EU—to ensure comparable professional development standards for family doctors.

Points for discussion:

What should be the optimal frequency for family doctor to recertificate?

Some specialties offer voluntary European Fellowship recertification to maintain Board-certified status, ensuring both skills and knowledge. How would European family doctors view a similar voluntary recertification model?

How can EURACT, WONCA Europe, and WHO Europe contribute to harmonising and strengthening CME across Europe?