Hippokrates Exchange Programme

Hippokrates is an exchange programme for medical doctors specialising in Family Medicine/General Practice and junior Family Doctors/General Practitioners (within 5 years of completing specialty training). The programme is supported by WONCA Europe and by the European Academy of Teachers in General Practice (EURACT).

The aim of Hippokrates is to encourage exchange and mobility among young doctors in the course of their professional formation as General Practitioners; thus providing a broader perspective to the concepts of Family Medicine at both professional and personal levels.

Participants of the programme acquire an insight into the context of General Practice in the primary healthcare system of other European countries either by hosting an exchange participant or visiting a GP practice in a another country. Through this they gain knowledge that will inspire them to undertake an active part in the development of Family Medicine at all levels.

Furthermore the programme enhances the collaboration among national colleges of Family Medicine and the recruitment of young professionals to these.

At the individual level the acquisitions are numerous: an international experience in a vocational setting, improving knowledge and skills, inspirational introduc­tion to methods of professional development for lifelong learning, improving language skills, creating new friendships.

Structure
Hippokrates was launched under the auspices of EURACT by Dr Per Kallestrup (Denmark) at the 6th European Conference on General Practice & Family Doctors in Vienna, Austria July 2-6, 2000.

In the pilot phase of the programme there were 5 participating countries: Czech Republic, Denmark, Netherlands, Spain, United Kingdom

Since its inception new participating countries have joined and more are still joining as the programme expands. Currently the programme offers 19 participating National Exchange Co-ordinators within Europe (see 'Membership' section), with at present 7 of these countries offering over 20 host GP practices.

National Exchange Co-ordinators are appointed by the national Vasco da Gama Movement Council Representative, who in turn is selected through the country's national college of family medicine.

In the participating countries a number of General Practitioners and their Practices have been selected to be Host Practices. These practices are the cornerstones of the programme inviting visiting Medical Doctors specialising in Family Medicine from the other participating countries.

The duration of an Exchange is two weeks. During this time the visitor will obtain an introduction to the aspects and the role of Family Medicine in the respective country by shadowing all activities of the Host Practice. The visitor should also meet, follow and exchange views with the local trainees specialising in Family Medicine and will be encouraged to gain insight in local resources and quality improvement activities as well as local healthcare structures.

Where possible private accommodation is arranged with the help of local hosts.

Financing
There is currently no central funding. Grants supporting innovative initiatives need to be found locally.

By all means intentions are to keep costs at a minimum through the pioneering spirit of the participants.

Procedure
The programme is designed with a very flat structure relying on the activity and creativity of the participants. Thus, through the principles of ownership enhan­cing the likelihood of success and sustainability.

The National Country Coordinator and their team make the programme known among young GPs in their country, encourage participation, oversee the process, support incoming and outgoing participants by liaising with other National Country Coordinators, and support hosts to see the exchange visit through. 

A doctor wishing to take part on an exchange should make contact with the practice of choice through this website in the country of choice. They should also inform their National Exchange Co-ordinator of their intention. These doctors are also strongly encouraged to offer their own practice as a host practice.

A doctor wishing to become a host practice should contact their National Exchange Co-ordinator and once agreed upload their practice details to the VdGM website under 'List Hippokrates Practice'.

Evaluation 
After the successful completion of an exchange visit an evaluation has to be completed online and report completed. These forms will make up the basis for reports to the WONCA/EURACT-council on the progress of the programme.

Language
The common language is English, however, it is an asset if the visiting trainee is capable of speaking the language of the hosting country.

Legal aspects
The Vasco da Gama Movement through the Hippokrates programme facilitates visiting doctors to find hosts and vice versa, and can certify the educational outcome of the exchange with a Certificate of Completion. 

It is the responsibility of the visitor and host to agree that they are happy for an exchange to go ahead, or terminate this if needed. For legal reasons the visiting doctor must take to independent active part in the examination or treatment of patients of the Host Practice.

The Vasco da Gama movement will issue a Certificate of Completion to the visitor and host if they provide evidence that the agreed learning objectives have been met, and/or additional learning objectives have been met. For this to happen the Code of Conduct must be followed.

Please address comments on the Hippokrates program to:

Dr Per Kallestrup
Department of General Practice
University of Aarhus
Vennelyst Boulevard 6
DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
e-mail: kallestrup@dadlnet.dk

& 

Dr Luisa Pettigrew
VdGM Exchange Liaison Person
e-mail: exchange@vdgm.eu

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