The role of the European Academy of Teachers in General Practice and Family Medicine in family medicine education in Europe – the experience of the University of Maribor

Primary health care is important item of political agendas since AlmaAta conference in 1978. West Balkans share common history in development of primary care since 1920’ when Andrija Stampar introduced social and community based primary care concepts. The first known specialist training in general practice in the world started in former Yugoslavia in the early 1960’. Since then, much has been done in the field of general practice and family medicine and this is reflected in The European Academy of Teachers in General Practice and Family Medicine (EURACT), which is a network organisation within WorldOrganization of National Colleges, Academies and Academic Associationsof General Practitioners/Family Physicians Region Europe(WONCA Europe). Its aim is to foster and maintain high standardsof care in European general practice by promoting general practiceas a discipline by learning and teaching. EURACT developed severaldocuments and teachers’ courses which can serve the development offamily medicine curricula in new established departments of medicalschools. This is also the case at Maribor Medical School, wherelearning outcomes and teaching methods are in concordance withEURACT teaching agenda, but also some innovative approaches areused, such as art and e-learning environment as teaching methods.