The Contribution Of Family Medicine To Improving Health Systems

"This guidebook systematically analyses the contribution of family medicine to highquality primary health care in addressing the challenges faced by current health systems, and provides options for moving forward. It serves as a pragmatic guide to potential strategies for putting in place family care teams which effectively contribute to health sec

This guidebook reveals ways in which family medicine can help countries throughout the world maintain and improve health and well-being by developing a more productive, coordinated and cost-effective approach to health care. It describes the rationale for structuring health systems to be more responsive to the needs of people, a vision of optimal health services delivery based on primary health care, and the challenges to achieving this vision.

This joint publication from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Organization of Family Doctors (WONCA) provides a concise analysis of the state of family practice in the 22 countries spread over North Africa, the Middle East and Western Asia, i.e. the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) in both English and Arabic. It shares perspectives and advice from global and regional leaders on how family practice can be introduced and strengthened in high-, middle- and low-income countries.

Containing papers carefully compiled for both their historical importance and contemporary relevance, Family Medicine: The Classic Papers brings together a team of experts, led by global family medicine leaders Michael Kidd, Iona Heath and Amanda Howe, who explain the importance of each selected paper and how it contributes to international health care, current practice and research. The papers demonstrate the broad scope of primary health care delivered by family doctors around the world, showcasing some of the most important research ever carried out in family medicine and primary care. This unique volume will serve as an inspiration to current family doctors and family medicine researchers and educators, as well as to doctors in training, medical students and emerging researchers in family medicine.

Textbook of Family Medicine, 3/e has been thoroughly revised and updated as per the requirement of general practitioners. Chapters contributed from a number of national and international experts in their respective fields makes this an authoritative text. The chapters have been thoroughly revised not only to incorporate symptomatic approach and management at primary care level but also the advanced treatment options available in tertiary care centres. With its contemporary approach and lucid presentation, the text would be of immense value to the general practitioners as well as students pursuing courses in Family medicine.

It has been recognised by governments and healthcare organisations worldwide that for Universal Healthcare in pursuit of Health for All under the Sustainable Development Goals to be achieved, effective primary care that is integrated, accessible, and affordable for everyone is essential. This practical guide is the first designed specifically to support those planning and conducting family medicine/primary care education within medical schools around the world. It offers medical educators a collection of concise easy to follow chapters, guiding the reader through the curriculum requirements with key references for further detail. Plain English and practical, deliverable advice, adaptable to different contexts, ensures the content is accessible to those educating medical students in any country, while the structure within sections ensures that family medicine doctors and educators can dip into chapters relevant to their roles, for example curriculum design for academic educators or teaching methods for those educating in clinical practice. Key Features ■ The first “how-to” guide dedicated to effective integration of family medicine teaching into medical school curricula ■ Offers a strong evidence-based framework for integrating family medicine into medical schools ■ Wide in scope, for academics and educationalists at all levels and in all geographies, reflecting and embracing the experience and variation in family medicine across the globe to produce pragmatic and effective information on which medical schools can base change ■ Step-by-step introduction to the processes of literature review (establishing the existing knowledge base), choosing a topic, research questions, and methodology, conducting research, and disseminating results ■ Supported by the WONCA Working Party on Education The book is edited and authored by members of the World Organization of Family Doctors (WONCA) Working Party on Education, which is ideally placed to offer a strong platform for medical schools to integrate family medicine whatever the local context, enabling all future doctors, whatever their career aspiration, to understand the importance of family medicine to health systems and holistic medicine and encourage family medicine doctors to inspire students to consider a career in the field.

International Perspectives on Primary Care Research examines how the evidence base from primary care research can strengthen health care services and delivery, tackle the growing burden of disease, improve quality and safety, and increase a person-centred focus to health care. Demonstrating the inter-professional nature of the discipline, the book also features a section on cross-nation organisations and primary care networks supporting research. National perspectives are offered from researchers in 20 countries that form part of the World Organization of Family Doctors, providing case histories from research-rich to resource-poor nations that illustrate the range of research development and capacity building. This book argues the importance of primary care research, especially to policy makers, decision makers and funders in informing best practice, training primary health care providers and achieving equitable distribution of care.

This ninth edition of the Textbook of Family Medicine, edited by Drs. Robert E. Rakel and David P. Rakel, remains your #1 choice for complete guidance on the principles of family medicine, primary care in the community, and all aspects of clinical practice. Ideal for both residents and practicing physicians, this medical reference book includes evidence-based, practical information to optimize patient care and prepare you for the ABFM exam. A clean, quick-reference layout makes it easy for you to put information to work immediately in your practice. Gain a new understanding of the patient-centered medical home and how to achieve this status in outpatient clinics. Make the most effective care decisions with help from "Evidence vs. Harm" icons that guide you through key treatments of common medical conditions. Take advantage of today’s most useful online resources with a convenient list of outstanding clinical websites. Quickly spot "Best Evidence Recommendations" with special boxes located throughout the text, and glean helpful tips on diagnosis and therapy from "Key Points" boxes found on every page. Quickly access content with an efficient new layout that includes more than 1,000 tables and full-color illustrations; treatment boxes for a concise overview of how to treat various conditions; Grade A SORT recommendations; and key points highlighting the major takeaways of each chapter. Take advantage of an enhanced focus on team-based care as the role of primary care providers evolves, and stay up to date on the most current practice guidelines with evidence-based information throughout. Remain at the forefront of the field with coverage on self-care, the emergence of tobacco alternatives such as e-cigarettes, and the changing picture of cancer in America.