About us (new)
Founded 1997 · Non-profit professional organisation
About EDF
Improving skin health across Europe.
The European Dermatology Forum is dedicated to improving the healthcare needs of dermatology patients in Europe — promoting the highest standards of prevention, diagnosis and treatment of skin diseases, and facilitating access to appropriate care.
Founded by seven heads of university dermatology departments
At a glance
Founded
1997
Established as a non-profit professional organisation.
Founders
7
Academic dermatologists, all heads of university departments.
Members
~200
Established leaders in dermato-venereology across Europe.
A truly pan-European network of expertise.
A specialty in transition
Over the past 30 years, dermatology has moved from essentially empirical treatments to rational therapies based on an enhanced knowledge of the pathogenesis of disease. At the same time, the boundaries between organ-specific specialties have become blurred — with growing overlap with oncology, immunology and allergology, plastic surgery, oral medicine and, increasingly, rheumatology and other disciplines managing chronic inflammatory disease.
Changes in European medical regulatory and healthcare delivery systems, budgetary constraints, and the increasing influence of third parties such as the media and the internet present both opportunities and threats to the profession. Driven by the need to provide better care for patients, dermatology must identify future scenarios for the specialty and implement strategies with optimum cost-benefit for healthcare providers across all European countries.
Seven departments, one mission
1997
Recognising the need to address these issues, seven academic dermatologists — all heads of university departments — formed the European Dermatology Forum as a non-profit professional organisation dedicated to improving the healthcare needs of dermatology patients in Europe. At its inception the EDF published a document setting out its mission, and this continues to remain at the core of its activities.
OUR MISSION
The specific aims of the EDF
01
Standards of care
To promote the highest possible standards of prevention, diagnosis and treatment of skin diseases and facilitate access to appropriate care.
02
Knowledge & research
To improve knowledge and understanding of the structure and function of skin, and the burden and impact of dermato-venereological disease through research — so that the medical community, government organizations, healthcare providers, patients and society in general may be better informed.
03
Equality, diversity & inclusivity
To promote equality, diversity and inclusivity in all aspects of dermatology care, research and education.
04
Training & education
To strengthen and maintain the quality of undergraduate and postgraduate dermatological training.
05
Independent advice
To provide independent advice and facilitate communication between dermatologists and European organizations concerned with improving the quality of skin care — including industry, academia, government, patient organizations and society.
06
Professional competencies
To work with UEMS and other European Societies to develop and regularly update a description of the competencies of the dermatology and venereology profession.
GET TO KNOW THE EDF
One forum for European dermatology
Learn more about the people behind the EDF, our membership, and the projects that put our mission into practice.
This website uses cookies!
We use cookies to tailor our content to your needs and continuously improve our website. You can decide which cookies you want to allow. Detailed information about the cookies we use can be found in our Privacy Policy and Cookie Settings. You can withdraw your consent at any time.
