The recent European forum highlighted Estonia's innovative digital and team solutions in family medicine while emphasizing the urgent need for stronger primary care teams and better funding.
Estonia recently hosted the historic 10th European Young Family Doctors Movement (EYFDM) forum, attracting 359 participants from 29 countries. This event showcased the talents within the healthcare landscape, emphasizing the importance of adequately trained primary care teams led by family doctors in effectively addressing patients' health issues. The discussions at the forum provided a platform for exchanging experiences and ideas among peers from different countries, focusing on healthcare organization considerations within Estonia's context. Experts at the forum underscored the critical necessity of establishing a robust and diverse primary care team, advocating for enhanced funding to support this structure. They pointed out that increasing financial support for family medicine is paramount, along with directing young doctors towards primary care roles to ensure a sustainable healthcare system moving forward. This emphasis on funding and workforce direction highlights the essential steps required for the progression of Estonia's healthcare services. The conference also presented Estonia as a model for effective digital solutions and operational teams in family medicine, showcasing the benefits of collaboration and innovation in healthcare. The experiences shared at the event are expected to influence future strategies for primary care in Estonia and potentially inspire improvements across Europe, fostering a collaborative approach to health system enhancements.
