Anales de la RANM

108 A N A L E S R A N M R E V I S T A F U N D A D A E N 1 8 7 9 FEAM’S ROLE IN SHAPING HEALTH POLICY IN EUROPE Breedveld F An RANM. 2026;143(01): 107 - 110 to provide high quality scientific advice on health related issues of European relevance, with a strong emphasis on clinical insight, public health impact, and ethical responsibility. FEAM’s credibility is rooted in the nature of its membership and in the way the federa- tion operates. It brings together institutions which share a long tradition of scientific rigor, professional responsibility, and public service, including long standing academies such as the Royal National Academy of Medicine of Spain. FEAM does not seek to replace the voices of its member academies, but to articulate them collec- tively at European level, drawing strength from their authority and diversity. Its contributions to policy debates are grounded in the expertise of its members and in working methods which emphasise careful analysis, peer exchange, and clarity, allowing European decision makers to engage with medical perspectives which are both independent and informed by practice. Through regular interaction with European institutions, including the European Commis- sion and the European Parliament, FEAM ensures that medical perspectives are present in discus- sions which increasingly shape national health systems. Its involvement in the Science Advice for Policy by European Academies framework provides a structured channel through which medical expertise contributes to the Scientific Advice Mechanism of the European Commis- sion. This role reflects FEAM’s position as a trusted interface between national academies and European decision makers, ensuring that collec- tive medical knowledge informs policy develop- ment in a coherent and constructive manner, without blurring the respective responsibilities of science and politics. Within the broader European science and policy ecosystem, FEAM acts as a bridge between medical science and decision making. It translates scientific knowledge into policy relevant insights, while also bringing policy questions back into expert discussion within academies. This two way function distinguishes FEAM from profes- sional associations focused on specific disciplines and from research consortia centred on project delivery. FEAM addresses strategic and cross cutting issues, with particular attention to long term implications for patients, clinicians, and health systems, as well as to the ethical dimensions of health policy choices. In addition to its advisory work, FEAM has developed the Annual Lecture as a flagship moment for reflection and dialogue at European level. Conceived as more than a formal event, the Annual Lecture provides a space where senior clinicians, researchers, policymakers, and stakeholders can engage with major health challenges which sit at the intersection of science, medicine, and policy. Topics are selected for their European relevance and long term importance, often at moments when policy debates are intensifying but scientific consensus or clinical perspective remains insuffi- ciently visible. By combining scientific depth with policy relevance, the Annual Lecture reinforces FEAM’s role as a convening platform and gives concrete expression to its mission. Over time, the Annual Lecture has contributed to strengthening FEAM’s visibility and credibility within the European policy environment. It allows FEAM to articulate its priorities in a public and structured manner, while fostering dialogue rather than confrontation. For member academies, it offers an opportunity to contribute to a shared European platform while maintaining strong national identities, and it illustrates how collec- tive medical expertise can enrich policy discus- sion without becoming prescriptive. In recent years, FEAM has contributed to several major European debates which illustrate both the opportunities and the challenges of science informed policy. Artificial intelligence and digital health provide a clear example. European institu- tions have invested significant political and financial capital in digital transformation, through regulation, research programmes, and industrial strategies. At the same time, the integration of digital tools into clinical practice raises questions which extend beyond technical performance or regulatory compliance. FEAM’s engagement in this area reflects concern that policy frameworks risk advancing faster than evidence of clinical benefit, safety, and usability, and that insufficient attention is paid to how these tools affect profes- sional responsibility and patient trust. From a medical perspective, artificial intelli- gence must be assessed in real clinical settings, with attention to outcomes, workflow integra- tion, and unintended effects. FEAM has therefore emphasised the need for robust validation, ongoing monitoring, and clear accountability frameworks, particularly as automated systems become embedded in routine care. European policy discussions increasingly address transparency and explainability, yet clinicians remain responsible for decisions affecting patients. FEAM highlights the importance of clarifying how responsibility is shared between developers, institutions, and professionals, without undermining clinical autonomy or patient safety. FEAM also draws attention to the challenge of deployment. Many digital solutions demonstrate promise in controlled environments but fail to scale due to organisational constraints, lack of training, or misalignment with care pathways. From FEAM’s perspective, digital health policy must address these systemic factors if European investment and regulation are to translate into meaningful improvements in care. The One Health agenda illustrates another area where European policy ambition and medical reality must be carefully aligned. One Health has gained political visibility through strate- gies addressing antimicrobial resistance, prepar-