The FEMS General Assembly, held in Cluj-Napoca on 2–3 October 2026, brought together its delegations and the European medical organisations to address the major challenges facing the medical profession and healthcare systems across Europe.

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Within its ongoing commitment to the protection of physicians’ rights and the improvement of working conditions in the medical profession, FEMS has prepared and presented two documents addressing key issues related to the implementation and review of the European Working Time Directive (EWTD). These documents were discussed with the competent offices of the European Commission as part of FEMS’s broader dialogue on the impact of working time rules on doctors’ health, professional performance, patient safety, and the quality of healthcare systems. The two policy papers aim to contribute to an evidence-based and constructive discussion on the need for working time arrangements that are both sustainable for physicians and compatible with the highest standards of care. FEMS remains committed to engaging with European institutions and stakeholders to promote fair, safe, and effective working conditions for doctors across Europe. Read the full documents here: FEMS study and FEMS position paper on EWTD

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The joint General Assembly AEMH-FEMS, held on 8 and 9 May 2026 in Wroclaw (Poland), addressed some of the most pressing issues affecting the medical profession in Europe.

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The conference “Doctors Under Strain – A European Debate on the Recognition of Medical Work as an Arduous Occupation” brought together medical organisations, trade unions, patient‑safety experts and EU‑level occupational‑health bodies to examine the growing evidence that medical work should be formally recognised as an arduous profession. Across all presentations, a consistent picture emerged: doctors and other healthcare workers operate under sustained physical, psychological and organisational pressures that exceed those found in most other sectors, with direct consequences for workforce retention, patient safety and the resilience of European health systems.

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FEMS organises a new conference at the European Parliament on 27 January 2026, 10:30-12:00am on “Doctors under strain — A European debate on the recognition of medical work as an arduous occupation”. This topic is of strong concern within the medical community: recognising medical practice as an arduous occupation is crucial not only to protect physicians’ health throughout their careers, but also as a necessary measure to improve recruitment and retention in the medical workforce. More information on the conference programme here.
FEMS has recently produced a policy paper on the topic as well as a statement that was further endorsed by several medical organisations.

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The European Federation of Salaried Doctors (FEMS) expresses deep concern over the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, marked by extreme levels of malnutrition, the collapse of the healthcare system, and widespread suffering among the civilian population.

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Be a part of the FEMS Project “SHAPING THE FUTURE OF DOCTORS’ HEALTH - better working conditions for an healthier profession”, developed by the European Federation of Salaried Doctors – FEMS in collaboration with Italian University of Marche. Fill in the questionnaire at the following link: https://surveyfems.econ.univpm.it/

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In the wake of its General Assembly taking place in Rome, on 4-5 October, FEMS issued the results of its study on the working conditions of European doctors - the White Book on European Doctors Working Conditions.

Download the document here