TY - JOUR
T1 - A global picture of family medicine
T2 - The view from a WONCA Storybooth
AU - Cubaka, Vincent K.
AU - Dyck, Clayton
AU - Dawe, Russell
AU - Alghalyini, Baraa
AU - Whalen-Browne, Molly
AU - Cejas, Gabriel
AU - Gibson, Christine
PY - 2019
Y1 - 2019
N2 - Background: Family Medicine is a novel discipline in many countries, where the motivation for training and value added to communities is not well-described. Our purpose was to understand the reason behind the choice of Family Medicine as a profession, the impact of Family Medicine on communities, and Family Medicine's characterizing qualities, as perceived by family doctors around the world. Methods: One-question video interviews were conducted using an appreciative inquiry approach, with volunteer participants at the 2016 World Organization of Family Doctors conference in Rio de Janeiro. Qualitative data analysis applied the thematic, framework method. Results: 135 family doctors from 55 countries participated in this study. Three overarching themes emerged: 1) key attributes of Family Medicine, 2) core Family Medicine values and 3) shared traits of family doctors. Family Medicine attributes and values were the key expressed motivators to join Family Medicine as a profession and were also among expressed factors that contributed to the impact of Family Medicine globally. Major sub-themes included the principles of comprehensive care, holistic care, continuity of care, patient centeredness, and the patient-provider relationship. Participants emphasized the importance of universal care, human rights, social justice and health equity. Conclusion: Family doctors around the world shared stories about their profession, presenting a heterogeneous picture of global Family Medicine unified by its attributes and values. These stories may inspire and serve as positive examples for Family Medicine programs, prospective students, advocates and other stakeholders.
AB - Background: Family Medicine is a novel discipline in many countries, where the motivation for training and value added to communities is not well-described. Our purpose was to understand the reason behind the choice of Family Medicine as a profession, the impact of Family Medicine on communities, and Family Medicine's characterizing qualities, as perceived by family doctors around the world. Methods: One-question video interviews were conducted using an appreciative inquiry approach, with volunteer participants at the 2016 World Organization of Family Doctors conference in Rio de Janeiro. Qualitative data analysis applied the thematic, framework method. Results: 135 family doctors from 55 countries participated in this study. Three overarching themes emerged: 1) key attributes of Family Medicine, 2) core Family Medicine values and 3) shared traits of family doctors. Family Medicine attributes and values were the key expressed motivators to join Family Medicine as a profession and were also among expressed factors that contributed to the impact of Family Medicine globally. Major sub-themes included the principles of comprehensive care, holistic care, continuity of care, patient centeredness, and the patient-provider relationship. Participants emphasized the importance of universal care, human rights, social justice and health equity. Conclusion: Family doctors around the world shared stories about their profession, presenting a heterogeneous picture of global Family Medicine unified by its attributes and values. These stories may inspire and serve as positive examples for Family Medicine programs, prospective students, advocates and other stakeholders.
KW - Family doctor
KW - Family medicine
KW - Family physician
KW - Global
KW - Motivation
KW - Narratives
KW - Qualitative
KW - Stories
KW - Value
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85072142502&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1186/s12875-019-1017-5
DO - 10.1186/s12875-019-1017-5
M3 - Journal article
C2 - 31514729
AN - SCOPUS:85072142502
SN - 1471-2296
VL - 20
JO - BMC Family Practice
JF - BMC Family Practice
IS - 1
M1 - 129
ER -