The first of these events, the AGP/FM SEE conference, took place from 5 to 6 June and brought together more than 150 family doctors from 13 countries of Southeast Europe. At the same time, the 50th professional meeting of healthcare teams was held, featuring numerous lectures and workshops aimed at both family doctors and nurses.
Cankarjev dom ensured the comfort of the participants and provided excellent technical support. A highlight for many was the opening concert by the Big Band of the Faculty of Medicine in Ljubljana creating a magical musical evening in the Gallus Hall.
“From Science Fiction to Reality: Bridging Technology and Humanity”
The conference opened with a strong emphasis on the benefits of integrating technology into medical practice, while underscoring the need for doctors to preserve empathetic communication with their patients.
“Technology must not interfere with the humanity and compassion essential to the work of family doctors,” explained Aleksander Stepanović, president of the Association of Family Medicine Doctors.
The President of Slovenia, Nataša Pirc Musar, addressed the attendees via video message, emphasising that family doctors are the foundation of primary healthcare, serving as the first point of contact for patients within the healthcare system.
Shlomo Vinkler, president of WONCA Europe (the European Organisation of Family Doctors), also spoke via video, presenting an AI tool being developed in Israel for summarising patients’ medical records.
Ljubin Šukrijev, President of AGP/FM SEE, highlighted key challenges in Southeast Europe, including doctor migration and an ageing population. He encouraged the use of AI in clinical practice and warned of mental health issues linked to digital technologies. On the other hand, Igor Švab, Dean of the Ljubljana Faculty of Medicine, cited healthcare commercialisation, burnout, and low student interest in family medicine as pressing concerns.
Many prominent Slovenian experts participated in the program and organisation of the conference. The scientific committee was led by young Slovenian doctor Vesna Homar, affirming that family medicine in Slovenia has a bright future.
