Vasco da Gama Movement Exchange Theme Group

The aims and objectives of the Exchange theme group are to participate in the development of family medicine in Europe by stimulating and increasing the exchange of ideas and knowledge amongst GP trainees and junior GPs.

This can be done through:

The existing "Hippokrates" Exchange Programme. 

This consist of 2 week long experiences hosting a European GP and /or 2 week long observational placements in another GP Practice in Europe. There are currently numerous new developments for the Hippokrates programme including its transference from EURACT to the Vasco da Gama Movement website, the appointment of VdGM National Exchange Co-ordinators in each country, and a modernisation of the application and certification process through the website. (This is currently in process, hence you may find some areas of the website incomplete, or you may not be able to access these). 

Conference based group exchanges. 

The hosting of international GPs at national conferences offers the visiting group a first-hand experience of another primary care system. Furthermore it exposes national family doctors to an international experience at their own national conference. The exchange is enhanced further when visiting doctors are hosted by local GPs and shadow their local host at work for a day. So far these have taken place with much success in the France, Netherlands, Ireland, UK and Spain.

Publications on the subject

Increasing the knowledge of exchange possibilities and the benefits of these through workshops and articles published nationally, internationally and within WONCA conferences. 

Exchange Podcasts

You will find interviews with Hippokrates and Conference Exchange participants at www.ugp.lumosproject.com, a website facilitated by Dr Harris Lygidakis and Dr Sara Rigon from Italy.