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Career focus (journal section) 
Postgraduate: Family/General Practice 	
BMJ 2002;325:S202 ( 14 December )

Career focus
The Hippokrates programme 
Josep Vidal Alaball and Per Kallestrup explain how you can travel and learn with Hippokrates 
Many of you may have heard about the Erasmus programme or even the Leonardo Da Vinci programme, but how many of you have heard about the Hippokrates programme? 
Hippokrates is a European exchange programme for medical doctors specialising in general practice or family medicine. It is supported by WONCA-Europe (World Organisation of Family Doctors) through EURACT (European Academy of Teachers in General Practice) and was launched in June 2000. 
The aim of the programme is to encourage exchange and mobility among general practice trainees, providing them with a broader perspective of general practice at both the professional and personal level. Although the programme is designed for general practice trainees, it is not restricted to the general practice registrar year. 

Box 1: How to organise the visit 

•	Visit www.euract.org under resources 
•	Choose the country you would like to visit 
•	Contact several host practices in the country you have chosen and ask for a visit 
•	Discuss dates and accommodation 
•	Arrange study leave with your trainer and inform the course organiser for your vocational training scheme 
•	Contact your country coordinator to inquire about funding possibilities 
•	Enjoy the experience and encourage others to go on a Hippokrates exchange 	

	

Box 2: What does Hippokrates add to your life as a general practice trainee? 

•	Gives you an insight into the life of a GP in another European country 
•	Improves your knowledge and skills 
•	Opens your mind and broadens your horizons 
•	Makes you reflect on your own work 
•	Creates new friendships 
•	Gives you a break in a busy year as general practice registrar 	

	

Which countries are included? 
After an initial two year pilot phase with five participating countriesthe Czech Republic, Denmark, the Netherlands, Spain, and the United Kingdomtwo more countries have joined the programme, Italy and Poland. Within each participating country the programme is based in the national college of general practitioners, with a country coordinator in charge. 
The common language is English, but it is certainly beneficial if the visiting trainee is able to speak the language of the host country. 

Box 3: What does Hippokrates add to your life as a GP host? 

•	Gives you international connections 
•	Gives you the opportunity to learn about another healthcare system 
•	Makes you reflect on your own work 
•	Gives you the opportunity to learn new ways to educate trainees 
•	Creates new friendships 	

	

How it works 
A study visit is arranged through direct contact between the trainee wishing to participate in the programme and one of the host practices in the countries concerned. This visit lasts two weeks and private accommodation with one of the host general practitioners (GPs) can be arranged. During this time the visitor will have a brief introduction to many aspects of general practice by taking part in all the activities of the host practice. He or she will also meet local trainees and take part in educational as well as social activities. 

Where to get more information 
All necessary information about the programme is at www.euract.org (click on resources). There is a brief introduction to the organisation of general practice in each participating country as well as the country coordinators and contacts for the host practices (telephone, email, and fax). Box 1 gives some tips for organising your visit. 

GP trainee's experience 
My general practice trainer, a member of the WONCA organisation, introduced me to the programme. He encouraged me to arrange a visit to another practice in Europe. 
It took me a few emails to practices in Denmark and Holland before arranging a visit. Finding suitable dates both for myself and for the host practice proved more difficult than expected. But we were eventually successful, and in June 2002 I visited a practice in Nivaa, 50 miles north of Copenhagen for 10 days. The practice has three partners with a patient list of 5380. I funded the travel expenses myself and the practice provided me with accommodation through one of the partners. 
I had a fairly intense agenda and I participated in all the activities of the practice from normal clinics to on-call commitments, always as an observer. I met the local general practice trainees taking part in one of their vocational training meetings. My social activities were also numerous and I had time for sightseeing as well. 
When I joined one of the district nurses for home visits I was slightly taken aback when she said: "I hope you know how to ride a bicycle." That is the way they do home visits. So I spent the day cycling in the rain and visiting patients. At least she was impressed by my cycling skills. 

	
Home visits the Danish way 

	
The GP who provided me with accommodation welcomed me into his family. As well as being a GP, he is secretary for the Committee for Quality Improvement in General Practice in Denmark. 
I do not speak a word of Danish and so, with the exception of a couple of patients who kindly volunteered to have their consultations in English, I could not follow most of the consultations. This problem was solved by the Danish GP kindly discussing the patients with me during or after the consultations. I was amazed how much of patients' problems you can understand just by studying their body language. 

Recommendations from my experience 
•	Persevere with your emails when trying to arrange a visit, but if you are repeatedly unsuccessful try faxing or telephoning if possible. Sending your curriculum vitae is always helpful 
•	It is usually easy to get cheap flights, so do not waste time trying to get funding 
•	Try to arrange accommodation with one of the partners. It will not only save you money but will also give you a glimpse of the life of a GP in another country 
•	Take this opportunity to get to know colleagues from other countries. 

A word from the host GP 
I find my involvement in the scheme rewarding and refreshing. It helps keep me up to date and on my toes. If you are interested in joining the programme as a host GP, contact your country coordinator (contact details are posted on www.euract.org). You do not need any special resources just some time to spend with inquisitive and energetic general practice trainees. 

Josep Vidal Alaball, academic fellow in general practice, University of Wales College of Medicine, Cardiff CF14 4XN
alaballjv@cardiff.ac.uk 
Per Kallestrup, general practitioner from Denmark, currently conducting HIV research in Zimbabwe; Hippokrates programme coordinator, 8 Glen Carron Avenue, Highlands, Zimbabwe
kallestrup@dadlnet.dk 
This article is based on the experience of JVA while a general practice trainee in Tavistock, Devon. 

© BMJ 2002 

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Collections under which this article appears:
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