The European Union of Medical Specialists (UEMS) is the professional organization for medical specialists in the countries of the European Union and the EFTA, representing more than 400.000 European medical specialists. As stated in the UEMS website, the statutory purpose of this international organization is the harmonization and improvement of the quality of medical specialist practice in the European Union.

In order to achieve this goal and to promote a high standard of clinical practice, UEMS has been pursuing the formulation of a common policy in the field of medical training, continuous medical education, exchanges of trainees between Countries, manpower problems throughout Europe.