The EU doctors' directives and family medicine in Malta

Abstract

'General practice/family medicine is an academic and scientific discipline and a clinical speciality with its own educational content, research, evidence-base and clinical activity, oriented to primary care.' This is the 2002 European definition issued by the World Organisation of Family Doctors (WONCA). Across Europe, Family Medicine is establishing itself ever more strongly as a recognised speciality requiring specific training. In Malta too, Family Medicine is about to undergo significant changes in the way it is to be perceived and practised. The EU accession process that Malta has been involved in has entailed familiarisation with European Union legislation regarding the Medical profession, the so-called Doctors' Directives. Furthermore, a number of provisions in these directives have been entrenched in the drafting of the new Health Care Professions Act even before Malta's final position with regards to full membership was decided. The issues regarding the EU Doctors' Directives and their relevance to Family Medicine in Malta were the subject of last February's winter CPD meeting organised by the Malta College of Family Doctors (jointly with the Medical Association of Malta). A review of the relevant issues is being reproduced hereunder.