HIPPOKRATES AND FM360°: INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGE PROGRAMS IN PRIMARY CARE

Introduction and Objective: Exchange Programs for young and junior GPs have been increasing in popularity over the past years as young GPs have the unique opportunity to exit their comfort zone and observe different practices. The Hippokrates Exchange program was launched 15 years ago in Europe and more recently the global Family Medicine 360° (FM360°) that is being welcomed by many colleagues around the world. The aim is to present the strengths and the opportunities of such programs and to present the latest trending data of both, Hippokrates as well as FM360°. METHOD: The poster will include a description of the exchange programs and a step by step guide on how to take part into them. There will be also an overview of the activities that many European participating countries have organised nationally (conference exchanges). RESULTS: There has been an increase of the number of participating countries, as well as of the number of colleagues who wish to expand their horizons in the process of globalization of Primary Care. CONCLUSIONS: By having an overview of the practical framework and understanding the potential value of exchange programs, viewers will understand how they may participate in such an initiative. Exchanges have shown to be beneficial for both visitors as hosts as they promote participants to get out of their comfort zone and to rethink how they may improve Primary Care provision for the population they work with.