The European Forum of Medical Associations and WHO : report on a WHO meeting, Stockholm, Sweden, 1-2 February 1996

Abstract

The fifth meeting of the European Forum of Medical Associations and WHO was attended by representatives of 54 medical associations and observers from supranational associations and newly formed national medical associations (‎NMAs)‎ from the newly independent states (‎NIS)‎ and countries of central and eastern Europe (‎CCEE)‎. After a review of health in the European Region that concentrated on the NIS and the CCEE, the Forum participants considered the consequences for medical education and practice of such factors as trends in litigation and medical liability insurance, structural and economic changes with health systems, and a population-based approach to health management. The participants then discussed specific issues, including the necessary medical involvement in the rehabilitation of torture victims, and developments in the understanding and management of patients' rights. Finally, the participants adopted statements on promoting patients' rights, NMAs, the forthcoming WHO conference on European health care reform, and advocacy to airlines of smoke-free flights