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Who we are

The UEMS represents & supports medical specialists

The UEMS is a European non-profit organisation representing more than 1.6 million specialist doctors, from all EU countries and beyond. 

UEMS members are the most representative associations of medical specialists in their respective countries. 
Through the UEMS, its members can have their views and concerns promoted through one stronger voice to the relevant European institutions
They also receive regular information on the latest developments as regards to European health-related issues.

The UEMS objective is to improve patient care throughout Europe by developing and supporting excellence in specialist medical practice.

UEMS activities and projects are concrete means to serve medical specialists in EU to aim at this objective.
As example, we are deeply involved in serving and supporting the Continuing medical education (CME) and Continuing professional development (CPD) of medical doctors. CME serves to maintain, develop or increase the knowledge, skills and professional performance and relationships that a physician uses to provide services for patients, the public, or the profession.


We invite medical specialists, healthcare professionals, and stakeholders to be part of the UEMS community and contribute to the advancement of medical excellence in Europe. Together, we can shape the future of healthcare and improve patient outcomes across the continent.

For more information about our organisation and how you can get involved, please explore our website or contact us directly.


Missions & activities of the UEMS

Post-graduate training

Supporting medical specialists in enhancing their skills and proficiency, through:

Continuing medical education

Setting standards for and accreditation of Continuing Medical Education for medical specialists, through:

Advocacy for medical specialists

Representing and advocating for medical specialists in their training & practice on:

UEMS structure & functioning

The UEMS has an intertwined structure that includes several key bodies, responsible for different aspects of its operations:

  1. the Council: it is the highest decision-making body of the UEMS. It meets biannually to set policies, priorities, and strategies for the organisation.
  2. the Executive Committee: it oversees the implementation of policies and decisions made by the Council.
  3. UEMS Bodies: the UEMS has two types of bodies
    1. Specialties bodies
    2. Thematic bodies
  4. Brussels office: a team dedicated to the administration, coordination, and communication within the organisation and beyond.

Overall, the UEMS's structure is designed to ensure that medical specialists from across Europe have a platform to collaborate, share knowledge, and uphold high standards of training and practice in their respective fields.

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History of the UEMS


UEMS history starts almost at the same time as the construction of the European Union. 
We have expanded widely ever since welcoming members outside from the European Union, as well as widening our activities and collaborations worldwide.

2024
Cooperation agreement with UEMO

Signature of an agreement for the accreditation by UEMS-EACCME of educational activities for general practitioners/family doctors.

2022
CME credits recognition with CONFEMEL (Latin America)

Signature of the agreement of mutual recognition of CME credits with the Confederacion Médica de Iberoamérica y el Caribe.

2011
CME credits recognition with RCPSC (Canada)

Signature of the agreement of mutual recognition of CME credits with the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.

2007
Creation of CESMA

i.e. the Council for European Specialists Medical Assessment (CESMA), with an aim to provide recommendation and advice on the organisation of European examinations for medical specialists at the European level.

2002
CME credits recognition with AMA (USA)

Signature of the agreement with the American Medical Association (AMA) for the recognition of CME credits with the USA.

1999
Creation of the EACCME 

UEMS created the the European Accreditation Council for CME to accredit with CME credits medical educational events.

1994
Post-Graduate Training

The UEMS adopted its "Charter on Training of Medical Specialists", which set the basis for the European approach in the field of Post Graduate Training.

1984
1st European Exam

The UEMS organised its first European examination. It was in anaesthesiology.

1962
UEMS Specialties Sections

Creation of UEMS specialist sections for each of the main disciplines practised in the Member States.

1958
Creation of UEMS