Uniting the medical profession
The mission of the FMA is to work for the advancement of medical expertise, humanity, ethics and collegiality. The Association brings its members together in support of these values and safeguards their common professional, social and economic interests. Its policies are decided by elected members, who are supported by a professional staff in the office in Helsinki.
International activities
The FMA participates in the work of several international medical organisations such as the World Medical Association (WMA), the Standing Committee of European Doctors (CPME), the European Union of Medical Specialists (UEMS), the European Union of General Practitioners (UEMO), the Permanent Working Group of European Junior Doctors (EJD) and the Council of Nordic Medical Associations (NLR).
Safeguarding members' interests
One of the main tasks of the Association is to ensure fair salaries and other terms of employment for its members. The FMA is recognized as one of the strongest and most influential professional organisations in Finland. It is a member of the Confederation of Unions for Professional and Managerial Staff in Finland (Akava).
The FMA negotiates salaries for its members in the municipal sector. In this work it collaborates closely with the Finnish Dental Association and the Finnish Veterinary Association.
Promoting health care and patient benefits
The FMA actively contributes to the work of the Finnish parliament, the government and other authorities and decision-making bodies with the aim of developing health care in Finland. The association is ideally placed to contribute professional expertise in this context as it represents nearly all physicians in Finland.
The FMA pursues several initiatives and issues a number of statements each year with the aim of improving health care and the related legislation. The aim is to ensure that good quality care is available to all patients. Health services must be properly resourced, and the right of patients to choose their doctor and treatment location must be catered for.
Developing medical education
In collaboration with Finnish universities and specialist medical societies, the FMA works to develop basic and postgraduate education and to further the professional competence of doctors. Clinical work is an essential part of the basic education. Finnish medical education is highly regarded internationally.
Defending ethical values in Finland and internationally
One important activity of the FMA throughout its existence has been to promote ethical principles. When the Association was established in 1910, the first President expressed the hope that it would become "the heart and conscience of the medical profession".
The rapid advances taking place in medicine constantly confront doctors with new ethical issues. The FMA gives ethical guidelines for its members.