Abstract Book: 14th EURIPA Rural Health Forum
Abstract Book
14th EURIPA Rural Health Forum
Wittenberg, Germany
June 26–28, 2025
Abstract
Rural Reformation: Meeting Wellbeing and Healthcare Needs in Rural Communities
Welcome to the Abstract Book of the 14th EURIPA Rural Health Forum 2025 at Wittenberg Lutherstadt. Thanks to its residence and university foundation in the 15th century, Wittenberg was ultimately able to become an intellectual centre of humanism and, as Martin Luther’s place of work, the centre of the Reformation. Wittenberg’s status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site dates back mainly to this period. In reference to the beginning of the Reformation, after Martin Luther spread his 95 Latin disputation theses from here on 31 October 1517, our gathering as a cornerstone of this year’s gathering under the theme “Rural Reformation: Meeting Wellbeing and Healthcare Needs in Rural Communities.”
This collection of abstracts represents the innovative ideas, research, and strategies that aim to address the pressing challenges faced by rural healthcare systems across Europe and beyond.
The Forum serves as a unique platform for healthcare professionals, researchers, and policymakers to exchange knowledge and inspire actionable solutions. The abstracts featured here delve into critical areas such as workforce shortages, health policy, clinical excellence, and the transformative potential of digital health solutions. They reflect the Forum’s commitment to preserving the core values of rural primary care, such as continuity of care and person-centered approaches, while embracing innovation and collaboration.
Key topics explored in this Book include leveraging team-based care while maintaining patient-physician relationships, supporting rural clinicians through mentorship and peer networks, and utilizing telehealth and mobile health units to improve access to care. Additionally, the abstracts highlight the importance of community engagement, patient-centered care planning, and integrating community health workers into care teams to strengthen ties between healthcare providers and the communities they serve.
As EURIPA foresees a future where rural general practitioners are empowered, connected, and proud of their role, this Abstract Book serves as a testament to the resilience and creativity of those dedicated to rural healthcare. It is a call to action to transform rural healthcare into a sustainable, high-value system that meets the wellbeing and healthcare needs of rural communities.
We invite you to explore the ideas and insights presented in this Book, which will inspire discussions and workshops throughout the forum. Together, let us shape the future of rural healthcare and make a lasting difference in the lives of patients, communities, and healthcare professionals.
We invite you to a “Rural Reformation for a Future in Wellbeing for Healthcare in Rural Communities”.
Dr. Ferdinando Petrazzuoli
Professor Thomas Frese
Professor Markus Herrmann
Co-chairs of the Organizing Committee
Key words: rural health, health inequalities, rural and remote communities, coastal communities