Table 2 Important actions to strengthen general practice/family medicine (GP/FM) in Europe (Final score = mean score minus 1 SD on a 9-point Likert scale, 1 = strongly disagree on importance, 9 = strongly agree, n = 30 respondents)

 To keep family doctors as leaders of GP/FM departments – the teaching process and decision making

 To train academic staff, to run “Training of Trainers”

 To create a network of GP/FM university departments

 To develop staff and invest in academic development, motivate young staff to build an academic career

 To invest in research and common research projects

 To build a strong scientific society

 To build the same level of specialty as other disciplines

 To know existing statement papers and create a common list of documents, bibliography and selected readings

 To introduce a mentor system with one to one teaching and create a list of tutors for teaching

 To list competencies for undergraduate level

 To establish common learning objectives

 To make GP/FM attractive - “sexy”

 To introduce a special course on GP/FM for first year students and early clinical exposure

 To have strong leaders

 To remind that to prepare doctors for primary care is a priority for Ministry of Health and universities

 To create a link between academics and policy makers

 To find a “right person” to get in touch with Minister of Health, rector, etc. – direct your efforts to decision makers

 To use public opinion for political pressure

 To find what are the patient’s needs and make patients our partners

 To stress the cost- effectiveness

 To involve media to show leaders and/or popular persons

 To look at what specific help individual countries need

 To empower EURACT, make transparency and visibility

 To collaborate with other organizations

 To keep working and proving yourself

 To work on good examples