We are thrilled to highlight an upcoming workshop at the EQuiP Conference 2026: "From Principles to Practice: Closing the Implementation Gap in Safe and Equitable Digital Family Medicine in Europe." 🇪🇺

We sat down with Stijn van den Broek (The Netherlands) 🇳🇱, who is leading this workshop alongside experts Ulrik Bak Kirk (Denmark) 🇩🇰, Erika Zelko (Austria) 🇦🇹, and Dorien Zwart (The Netherlands) 🇳🇱, to discuss how their Delphi study is moving the needle on digital safety. 🚀

Q: A Collaborative Effort: You are presenting this workshop with Ulrik, Erika, and Dorien. How has this diverse team of experts shaped the Delphi process that led to these 37 statements? 🤝

Stijn: During the last EQuiP Council meeting in Utrecht, we organized a workshop based on the Dutch vision on digital care and the existing WONCA statements. Following a Delphi procedure, we discussed in small groups whether, and to what extent, we had shared support for the individual statements and positions. Having a diverse team ensured that these statements reflect the broad reality of European General Practice, not just a single regional perspective. 🌍

Q: The Implementation Gap: Your workshop suggests digital care has outpaced its safety systems. What is the most critical risk GPs face if we don't close this "implementation gap" soon? ⚠️

Stijn: The risks are quite significant for both the clinician and the patient. We are looking at an increase in workload, a decrease in job satisfaction, and a loss of patients’ trust. Most critically, it can lead to unsafe care and worsening health disparities due to growing inequity in access and treatment. 📉

Q: Safety & Equity: How can the recommendations developed by your team help ensure digital innovation reduces health inequalities rather than widening them? ⚖️

Stijn: By deploying digital care in a hybrid way. This means ensuring that digital care is only used when it matches the skills of both the patient and the GP, fits the situation, and is medically responsible and meaningful. If it doesn't meet those criteria, an equivalent non-digital option must remain available. 🔄

Q: The "Tuesday Morning" Test: What is one practical change a clinician could make to improve digital safety immediately? ☀️

Stijn: Take small steps! Start by ensuring your digital working environment is secure in terms of privacy and information safety. Then, make up your mind about which digital tools would actually support your own work in practice. Finally, talk with your patients about which digital tools they would prefer. 💬

Q: The EQuiP Position Paper: How will the collective input from delegates during your session influence the official EQuiP position paper? 📝

Stijn: The input gathered during the workshop will be an integral part of the official position paper. This is a chance for delegates to directly shape professional standards. 🏛️

Q: Why Attend: Why is this specific workshop—and the EQuiP 2026 conference as a whole—a must-attend event for the future of family medicine? 🌟

Stijn: It is vital to hear your voice! Quality and safety are core values and main professional drivers for us. Digitalization brings new opportunities, but also risks. Standing still means falling behind; we must stay informed to continue providing good care. 👨‍⚕️👩‍⚕️

Q: The Speaker’s Bookshelf: What book are you currently reading? 📚

Stijn: WONCA Family Medicine - Digital Health for Primary Care by Ana Luisa Neves (WONCA 2025). I would certainly recommend it! 👍

🏰 Join us in Kraków! 🇵🇱

We invite you to participate in this pivotal dialogue at the 68th EQuiP Conference in the historic heart of Poland.

• Dates: 21–23 May 2026 🗓️

• Theme: "Strengthening the Heart of Primary Care: Well-being and Resilience in Family Physicians." ❤️

• Registration: Register Now at conference.qualityfamilymedicine.eu 🎟️✨