There are many medical associations around the world (sometimes referred to as medical organisations or health associations), with more than 85 national bodies registered as members of the World Medical Association (WMA), which aims to promote the highest possible standard of care and ethics.

Medical associations or organisations represent the interests of doctors in their respective countries. Usually, they are particularly concerned with employment, acting as a trade union for the profession and may provide support for doctors with employment issues but not necessarily with the legal and ethical problems that arise from professional practice.

They may have policies on a wide range of issues in medicine and public health whilst many are also major medical publishers.

Medical organisations do not normally register or discipline doctors. This function is performed by organisations such as the UK General Medical Council (GMC).

American Medical Association

The American Medical Association (AMA) is the national professional organisation for all physicians and the leading advocate for physicians and their patients. Founded in 1847, it is the largest association of medical doctors and medical students in the USA.

British Medical Association

The British Medical Association (BMA) is an independent trade union, speaking for doctors at home and abroad, and provides services for more than 139,000 members including practising doctors in the UK and overseas and medical students. The BMA is responsible for negotiating rights for national Terms and Conditions of Service for doctors working in the National Health Service (NHS). It also owns the British Medical Journal, one of the most popular and widely-read peer-reviewed general medical journals in the world.

Hong Kong Medical Association

The Hong Kong Medical Association (HKMA) represents more than 6,000 doctors, and aims to promote the welfare of the medical profession and the health of the public.

Irish Medical Organisation

The mission of the Irish Medical Organisation (IMO) is to improve the practice of medicine, the working conditions of doctors and be committed to developing a caring, efficient and effective medical service in Ireland. It was formed in 1984 through the amalgamation of the IMA and the IMU.

Malaysian Medical Association

The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) aims to promote and maintain the honour and interest of the profession in all its branches and in every one of its segments and help to sustain the professional standards of medical ethics.

New Zealand Medical Association

The largest medical organisation in the country, the New Zealand Medical Association (NZMA) provides support and services to members and their practices. It also publishes the New Zealand Medical Journal.

Singapore Medical Association

The Singapore Medical Association (SMA) is the national medical organisation, formed in 1959, representing the majority of medical practitioners in both the public and private sectors.

South Africa Medical Association

The South African Medical Association (SAMA) is a non-statutory, professional association for public and private sector medical practitioners. It acts as a trade union for its public sector members and as a champion for doctors and patients.