Contact EURACT

E-mail

Phone
(32) 16 33 74 64

FAX
(32) 16 33 74 80

NETHERLANDS

Basic medical education

The Visitation Committee has visited all Medical Schools and the final report is expected shortly. Direct verbal reports after each visitation indicate that the committee will focus on two topics in general:

• the presence of clinical encounters with patients in the first years of the curriculum
• (again) the clerkship
  

Several new curricula are now in year 3 or 4 of their 6-year programme. The focus is now the construction of year 6 which can become something of an internship. The student (it will still be a student) will get more responsibility.

Some specialties see this period as a pre-specialty training.

Postgraduate training

All departments are very active with the implementation of the new curriculum.

The number of available positions for GP's in training has been increased and there were enough applicants.

CME/HPT

No changes/no news.

Health Care

The current economic situation forces the government to cut in the budget. On September 16, the Queen will officially announce the Government plan. Among them will be removal of physical therapy out of the health insurance fund. Women of 21 and older will have to pay for contraception. Couples will have to pay for their first IVF attempt by themselves.

It is not clear if the government will put money available for the practice nurse in general practices. If not, there will be much turmoil to come.

What have I done as Euract Council member?

I had several discussions regarding the WONCA 2004 meeting and the role of Euract.