Continuing education trip Spitsbergen/North Pole
Continuing Medical Education Trip Spitsbergen/North Pole
In the spring of 2027 (April 9–16, 2027), we are organizing an exclusive, accredited continuing medical education (CME) trip for physicians in Spitsbergen (Svalbard) for the first time. This CME program combines high-quality medical content with learning and reflection in one of the most remote and pristine areas of Europe.
For one week, the group will be immersed in the Arctic landscape, where silence, space, and nature inevitably invite slowing down and deepening one's perspective. The educational program will take place aboard an expedition sailing ship that will serve as both the venue and facility for the training throughout the week.
A unique learning environment
This CME program is designed for a broad group of physicians, including general practitioners, medical specialists, and emergency physicians. By striving for a diverse composition, a rich learning environment is created in which different perspectives and experiences converge.
Between time spent outdoors, there is space for substantive, practice-oriented training tailored to the diversity within the group. The combination of medical depth, tranquility, and nature makes this CME trip intensive, yet also an experience that participants will not soon forget.
CME Program
The CME program is compiled and supervised by us. We provide part of the training ourselves; additionally, participants also make substantive contributions based on their own expertise and clinical experience. This results in a program focused not only on knowledge transfer but also on joint reflection and intercollegial exchange.
The educational activities are divided into multiple sessions, spread throughout the week and aligned with the daily schedule. On days with intensive activities, the educational load is deliberately limited to allow space for experiences to sink in and for participants to connect what they have learned to their clinical practice.
In addition to medical topics, attention is given to:
-clinical reasoning in the challenging conditions of the polar regions
-decision-making under uncertainty and with limited resources
-collaboration and human performance in isolated settings
CME credits will be requested from the relevant accreditation committees for all educational activities.
Expedition & context
The CME trip takes place at the end of the Arctic winter, a period in which the landscape is still largely defined by snow and ice, while spring is cautiously emerging. The light is slowly returning, yet the wintry character of the region remains clearly present.
The conditions require flexibility and adaptability — traits that are also of great importance in medical practice. This context does not serve as a backdrop, but as an essential part of the learning experience.
Role and responsibility
The trip and expedition are carried out by an external expedition organization, which is responsible for the ship, crew, safety, logistics, and activities.
We organize only the CME program and the accreditation and are not a travel agency.
No patient care is provided during this CME trip. The education is intended exclusively for BIG-registered professionals.
About us
We both work as general practitioners and have experience with working and teaching in diverse and sometimes isolated contexts.
In our daily work, we see how important it is to not only maintain medical knowledge but also to reflect on decision-making, collaboration, and professional performance under pressure.
With this CME program, we want to create a learning environment where content, reflection, and collegial exchange converge. Not as a classic course, but as a joint week of learning, sharing, and deepening — with space for different perspectives and experiences.
Practical information & registration
Target group: physicians (general practitioners, medical specialists, emergency physicians, and other BIG-registered doctors)
Group size: maximum 31 participants
Accreditation: application for approx. 15–20 points
Cost: €4,450
Registration for this CME trip will soon be available on MedischeScholing.nl, where additional practical information will also be found. Registration opens 03-01-2026.
