We are happy to announce our conference in the European Parliament on the topic Salaried doctors in Europe: challenges, rights and future policies – Dialogue on the FEMS White Book and beyond", kindly hosted by Raffaele Topo, MEP. The conference will take place on 23 April 2025 from 14:30 to 17:00. The event aims to address the urgent challenges faced by the medical sector: the current crisis in the medical field, marked by significant gender and generational shifts, a growing workforce shortage, and increasing public health demands, calls for a new vision and innovative solutions to overcome the critical issues affecting employed doctors. The conference will also be an occasion to discuss the working conditions of employed doctors across Europe, based on data presented in the FEMS White Book, to explore, from a union perspective, how to redesign these working conditions as a vital first step toward building resilient healthcare systems in Europe and to foster a dialogue that underscores our belief that health is a fundamental right—one that can only be guaranteed by embracing a plurality of voices and ideas. The full conference programme is available here.

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Alessandra Spedicato, President of FEMS, and Alejandro Ramos, FEMS Second Vice President, took part in the Second International Conference organized by Círculo de la Sanidad on the topic “Innovación y desarrollo: el sistema de salud español en el mundo.” They contributed to the session “Situación laboral de los profesionales médicos en Europa,” where, together with other panelists and input from the audience, they discussed key issues such as the recognition of the medical profession as arduous, the impact of medical work on doctors’ health, and how changes in medical demographics should guide workforce planning and healthcare system organization. During the event, dr.Spedicato also presented the FEMS Whitebook on the European Doctors’ Working Conditions, a crucial document highlighting the current challenges faced by medical professionals across Europe. This paper aims to raise awareness and propose solutions to improve work organization , ensuring both their well-being and the sustainability of healthcare systems. Furthermore, the conference provided an opportunity to strengthen collaboration between trade union organizations and medical institutions. Notably, CESM and the General Council of Medical Colleges of Spain committed to drafting a Declaration of Fundamental Rights of Doctors, which could serve as a starting point for a broader European initiative promoted by FEMS. In addition, discussions emphasized the need to formally recognize the medical profession as arduous work. A dedicated proposal will be developed in collaboration with FEMS, laying the groundwork for a European-level initiative to secure appropriate recognition and protections for doctors facing increasingly demanding working conditions. Only through dialogue and continuous collaboration with other healthcare stakeholders can we ensure quality care and high levels of organization in a time of increasing constraints in the healthcare system.

In the wake of its General Assembly taking place in Rome, on 4-5 October, FEMS issued the results of its study on the working conditions of European doctors - the White Book on European Doctors Working Conditions.

Download the document here