The EFPC 2025 Conference was held in Vienna, Austria, from 7 to 9 September 2025. It gathered experts, practitioners and researchers from across Europe to discuss innovations, challenges and opportunities in primary care. The main theme of this year’s conference was Symphony of Interprofessional Primary Care, harmonising research and practice. More than four hundred participants attended the event, with several plenary lectures, workshops, oral presentations and a total of thirty five posters presented during the poster sessions. The growing evidence of the value of interprofessional collaboration set the tone for this conference in Vienna, creating a highly interactive atmosphere that encouraged exchanges between different professional and cultural perspectives.
Marija Zafirovska presented the poster titled Stakeholder Mapping and SWOT Analysis of the Walk Along the Wire Physical Activity Intervention:
During the poster presentation, a lively and constructive debate developed around three key questions:
- Impact of once-a-year events: Participants questioned whether a single annual event like “Walk Along the Wire” is sufficient to meaningfully promote physical activity and long-term behaviour change, or if it risks being more symbolic than impactful.
- Role of healthcare providers: The discussion also touched on whether healthcare professionals should take a more formal role in promoting or even prescribing participation in community events such as this one.
- Inclusivity of the event: Another important point raised was whether the event is truly inclusive, or if it unintentionally excludes vulnerable groups such as the elderly, people with disabilities, or low-income populations.
The debate brought forward several valuable ideas. Some participants emphasised that physical activity prescriptions could serve as a good entry point to encourage people to use the trail year round. Austrian colleagues shared the example of a similar trail in their country where participants can walk or cycle while scanning codes to unlock achievements. They also suggested strategies to motivate adolescents, such as involving famous Slovenian athletes or organising competitions where school classes collect points by using the trail, with the winning class rewarded by a visit from a sports team.
Inclusivity was highlighted as a key priority. Suggestions included: adapting and promoting easily accessible sections of the trail for elderly people and those with disabilities, providing more frequent transport to these locations and involving organisations that work with vulnerable populations to ensure their needs are adequately addressed.
Poster prize
Marija was proud to share that her poster was awarded the Best Poster Prize at the EFPC 2025 Conference, a recognition that highlights the relevance of the topic and the importance of engaging communities in innovative and inclusive ways to promote physical activity and long term health.
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