EQuiP – The European Society for Quality and Patient Safety in General Practice/Family Medicine successfully concluded its 2025 Winter Invitational Conference and Assembly from November 21–22. Hosted by the University Medical Center Utrecht, the event served as a vital bridge between the 2025 EQuiP Linz Conference and the roadmap to 2026 EQuiP Kraków Conference.
The meeting was formally opened by Prof. Thomas Frese, President of WONCA Europe. In his address, Prof. Frese emphasized the vital role of EQuiP as the "quality conscience" of European family medicine. He underscored the importance of professional solidarity and the need for EQuiP's evidence-based approach to remain a central pillar of WONCA Europe’s advocacy efforts.
Prof. Dr. Roger Damoiseaux (Professor in General Practice at UMC Utrecht) delivered a profound exploration of the role of the Generalist in an era defined by medical complexity. In his keynote, "Generalism and Quality of Care," he addressed the "double-edged sword" of the last century of medical progress: while specialization has enabled advances in disease-specific care, it has also facilitated a crisis of fragmentation.
Prof. Damoiseaux highlighted that for the modern patient—particularly those with multimorbidity—specialization often leads to multiple clinical silos.
"A cardiologist might improve cardiac function, but if the same patient has severe lung disease, the overall benefit may be negligible. All doctors must understand that treatment goes beyond their own expertise and should consider the whole patient."
Held at the Huisartsopleiding Utrecht in Zeist, the first day focused on setting the organization's trajectory.
The EQuiP Delegates Survey: Prof. Dr. Dorien Zwart, EQuiP President, presented the 2025 survey results on priorities for future projects and processes.
Primary Care Research (PCR): Dr. Hector Falcoff led a specialized session on successful policies for developing primary care research, drawing on recent institutional developments in France.
Workshop Development: Parallel sessions focused on:
The EQuiP Opinion Paper on Digital GP Care: Led by Stijn van den Broek (Dutch College of GPs, Netherlands) and Prof. Dr. Erika Zelko (Austria).
Kraków 2026 & Paris 2026 Strategy: A dedicated working group was established, led by Prof. Dr. Andrée Rochfort, to produce the WONCA Europe Paris 2026 workshop titled "Job Satisfaction and Joy in General Practice supporting Quality Care." This theme will also be explored during 2026 EQuiP Kraków Conference in May.
The afternoon concluded with the Executive Board Elections, where delegates cast their votes for the 2025–2028 leadership term.
Saturday morning at the Utrecht University Museum focused on transparency and the future of the profession.
Global Core Values: Prof. Dr. Dorien Zwart briefed the Council on the WONCA Global Core Values Project. This critical initiative aims to define and protect the fundamental pillars of family medicine—such as continuity of care and person-centeredness—on a global scale. Prof. Zwart emphasized that these values serve as the essential "anchor" for maintaining patient safety in a rapidly changing digital landscape.
Election Results: The EQuiP Council ratified the previous day's elections, welcoming new Members-at-Large (2025–2028): Dr. Jelena Rakić Matić (Croatia), Dr. Stefan Teughels (Belgium), and Prof. Dr. Erika Zelko (Austria).
The Progress Review (The Road from Linz): Dr. Jose Miguel Bueno Ortiz, EQuiP Honorary Secretary, delivered a comprehensive overview of activities since May 2025. This report highlighted:
WONCA Europe Integration: EQuiP’s active presence at the WONCA Europe Council 2026 and WONCA World Conference. 2026
Strategic Liaison: Dr. Bueno Ortiz’s critical role as the formal liaison to the WONCA Europe Executive Board.
Policy Advocacy: Updates from the WONCA Europe Working Party on Policy Advocacy and the global WONCA working Party on Quality and Safety (WWPQS)
The Council stood to honour Prof. Dr. Andrée Rochfort as she concluded her distinguished tenure on the Executive Board. Having served as both EQuiP President (2022-2025 and previously as Honorary Secretary, Prof. Dr. Rochfort was celebrated for her tireless advocacy for doctor well-being as integral to healthcare quality and patient safety.
The Council paid a moving tribute to the late Dr. Le Vallikivi, a past EQuiP member from Estonia, extending deepest sympathy to the Estonian Society of Family Doctors (ESFD).
The event culminated in the formal EQuiP Assembly, finalizing the roadmap for the 68th EQuiP Conference in Kraków, Poland (May 21–23, 2026). www.qualityfamilymedicine.eu
EQuiP is open to both Individual and Organizational Memberships. EQuiP offers a platform to improve the knowledge base and to improve closer collaboration between GPs / Family Doctors, researchers, educators, policy makers and organisations involved in quality and safety in family medicine and primary care.
