EFIM Executive Committee Since its founding in 1996, EFIM has expanded to represent 48 national societies, building a broad platform for collaboration in education, research, and policy. With initiatives such as the EFIM Academy, a growing portfolio of hybrid learning opportunities, and the annual European Congress of Internal Medicine held in a different city each year, the federation continues to adapt to the changing needs of internists across the continent.
For readers less familiar with EFIM, could you briefly introduce the organisation and highlight how it has evolved in recent years?
The European Federation of Internal Medicine (EFIM) is a scientific non-for-profit organisation that brings together national societies of internal medicine from across Europe and beyond. Founded in 1996, EFIM aims to strengthen the identity and visibility of internal medicine in Europe and to promote high standards in education, research, and clinical practice. Over the years, EFIM has grown significantly, expanding its network proud to represent 48 national societies of internal medicine.
In the past ten years, EFIM has undergone significant growth and transformation embracing digital innovation, developing collaborations with international internal medicine organisations, European specialty societies, and expanding its educational initiatives. These include online platforms such as the EFIM Academy and EFIM Webinars channel, as well as in-person programmes like the Winter and Summer Schools, the EFIM Exchange Programme, the Clinical Research Seminar, and the European Congress of Internal Medicine, ECIM, the only internal medicine congress of its kind held in Europe.
This evolution reflects our continued commitment to meeting the evolving needs of internists particularly in the wake of the pandemic and to adapting to the shifting healthcare landscape across Europe.
EFIM’s membership now spans over 48 national societies. How do you maintain a sense of balance and inclusion across such a diverse network?
Maintaining inclusivity and balance across such a broad and diverse membership is key priority for EFIM. We ensure equal representation through our General Assembly, EFIM Working Groups, Early Career Subcommittee and EFIM Young Internists Section providing every member society with a voice in shaping EFIM’s mission.
Transparent decision-making during EFIM meetings, and comprehensive leadership practices all contribute to a strong sense of shared ownership and participation.
We also strive to reflect the diversity of our network in the Executive Committee and in key EFIM projects, including scientific programmes, webinars, and other major activities. Our aim is to ensure that EFIM remains a unique platform supporting every society large or small feels heard and share the sense of belonging to EFIM.
As EFIM has grown, what challenges have emerged on the operational side, and how have you tackled them?
As EFIM continues to grow, so does the complexity of our operations whether in governance, planning scientific programmes for the Congress, or selecting future destinations for our educational activities. To meet these challenges, we are investing in improved digital collaboration tools and expanding our administrative capacity, including the current recruitment of additional staff to support our office operations.
A key priority has also been ensuring sustainable financial and governance frameworks to support our expanding range of activities. In response, we have strengthened our strategic planning processes, the membership structure, undertaken a detailed update of our Statutes and internal by-laws to include clearer and better regulations. We also have strengthened our internal agreement with our publishing partner, and initiated new partnerships with equivalent organisations across the globe including United States, South America, Asia, and Australia.
Ongoing dialogue with our member societies, supported by regular surveys to assess their interests and needs, ensures that we remain informed, responsive, and aligned with EFIM’s primary mission.
The European Congress of Internal Medicine has become a central platform for EFIM. Where is it held, and how has it developed in recent years?
The European Congress of Internal Medicine (ECIM) is EFIM’s premier event and a main networking platform that brings together physicians, researchers, and experts in internal medicine. Held annually in different European cities, the Congress is organised in close collaboration with a national society, developing strong local engagement.
EFIM began independently organising the Congress in 2016, with the first individual congress taking place in Amsterdam. Nearly a decade later, ECIM has more than doubled in size and has gained recognition not only across Europe but also internationally.
The scientific programme now features high-level, multidisciplinary sessions, including plenary lectures, debates on controversial topics, and specialised tracks and workshops for every internist. The active involvement of our Young Internists Section and the Early Career Subcommittee has enriched the Congress, making it especially dynamic and interactive.
We were proud to welcome over 2,200 internists to ECIM 2025, held in Florence this past March. Building on that success, we are already preparing the programme for ECIM 2026, which will take place in Vienna, for the first time hosting ECIM in the Austrian capital.
To increase accessibility, we have also integrated virtual modules into the Congress, making recorded sessions available to colleagues around the world through EFIM Academy and the congress website. This approach ensures broader participation and extends the impact of ECIM well beyond the conference days.