MED-NET Conference 1999
Maastricht, The Netherlands

• Introduction
• Programme
• Proceedings / publication

Introduction

3rd MED-NET Conference: 
European Physicians, Implications for Medical Education
Vaeshartelt Castle Conference Centre
Maastricht, The Netherlands
April 22 - 24, 1999

Organising Committee

• Dr. Gerard Majoor Maastricht University
• Ms. Milou Stassen Maastricht University
• Drs. Marguerite Franssen Aachen University
• Prof. Dr. Khosrow Mottaghy Aachen University
• Ir. Jan de Koning University of Nijmegen

European Physicians, Implications for Medical Education

Introduction

In socio-economic respect the unification of Europe has already made great progress. In addition, over the past five years several European trans-boundary regions have initiated experiments concerning co-operation in the field of health care. With these experiments the differences in the health care systems of the member states of the European Union (EU) became evident in practice. Consequently, if we aim for a Europe without frontiers in the field of health care, we must also widely discuss its implications for medical education in European countries. During the third MED-NET conference we will present some practical experiences and typical operational issues encountered in trans-border health projects to launch discussions on content and organization of medical education in the near future.

Key Issues

Examples of cross-border projects in health care are found in the EU-regions "Rhine-Meuse" (involving Belgium, Germany and The Netherlands) and "Rhine-Waal" (Germany and The Netherlands). Quality criteria concerning medical and clinical competencies are applied in each of these countries, but the answers to the question: "What doctors does society need?" turn out to differ even within small geographical areas like the EU-regions. Typical examples showing variable impacts on the health care systems of the different countries concern multidisciplinary care, doctor-patient relations, and attitudes towards ethical issues, application of medical technology, quality of life, and health insurance systems.

Fundamental Questions

Keeping the mutual recognition of the medical graduates and the freedom of establishment of medical practitioners within the EU in mind, major issues with respect to medical education concern the importance of acquiring skills in multi-professional co-operation and in communication. In order to function well as a health professional in any European country knowledge of, and the ability to cope with the local health care structure and its peculiarities are important prerequisites. To that aim, spending a study period in another European country might be a crucial element of medical education. Hence, the fundamental questions posed during the third MED-NET conference will be: Can there be one European health care system and if so, what should be the outlines of such uniform European health care system? In other words: What does the EU expect from competent doctors? After exploration of the answers to these questions, we should ask ourselves: What are the implications of a European health care system for medical education at the various European medical Faculties?

Structure of the Conference

There are four main parts:

1. Introductions and discussions on the conference theme

A number of invited guest speakers will present lectures on examples of trans-border co-operation experiments in health care, adult education, and reflect on the future. These lectures will be followed by workshops.

2. MED-NET reports

The reference groups and project groups will report on their progress concerning the collection of data in order to achieve the complete picture on medical education in Europe.

3. Members consultation meeting

This meeting of the members will address MED-NETís organizational development. (New) projects and proposals will be presented.

4. Education market

Free discussions on staff and student exchange, separate meetings of co-operating faculties, ECTS meeting, poster presentations on Faculties, and demonstrations.

Contributions by Participants

Participants of the conference are invited to present their faculty, a specific topic or project. Presentations may concern:

• New technologies in education, experiences in curriculum innovation, profiles of medical schools and faculties, international cooperation projects, presentations of new projects
• Demonstrations including multimedia courses, video presentations, home-page demonstrations
• General presentations of associated networks, recent publications and background information

Programme