To NMAs that didn't attend the WMA Assembly, Helsinki 2003

Dear Colleagues:

The WMA recently concluded a very successful Assembly in Helsinki. Some 42 of our member national medical associations were represented. They participated in an extremely rich scientific session that dealt with patient safety in care and research. They approved no less than seven new statements and resolutions on topics ranging from advance directives to ethical guidelines for the recruitment of physicians to SARS. They took advantage of an open session at the Assembly to present profession-specific problems, policies or projects that they felt the WMA should know about or help address. And they enjoyed interacting with physicians from around the world during the coffee breaks and social events.

We are very sorry that your association was unable to attend this year's Assembly. In order to encourage your participation in future Assemblies, we would be grateful if you would tell us why you did not attend this year and what would need to change in order for you to attend in future. For your advance information, the 2004 Assembly will be held in Tokyo, Japan from 6-10 October, and the 2005 Assembly in Santiago, Chile from 5-9 October.

Thank you for your attention to this request. And please let us know if there is anything more that the WMA can do for your association.

Yours sincerely,