On 03-05.06.2021, UAFM held an all-Ukrainian scientific-practical online conference with international participation. The topic was "PRIMARY CARE: TODAY CHALLENGES AND WAYS TO OVERCOME".
Organization of primary health care, science, and education in the field of FM, the response of primary health care to epidemic challenges, development of new and updating of existing medical and technological documents were considered. The conference was visited online by more than 2,000 family doctors from all regions of the country.
The news about the possible cancellation of the scientific specialty "GP/FM" from the list of scientific specialties, which was initiated by the Ukrainian Ministry of Education and Science without notifying the association and universities caused serious concern and indignation of the community of family doctors of Ukraine. The scientific specialty "Family Medicine" was approved in Ukraine in 2010. During this time, more than 200 family doctors have received the degrees of doctor and candidate of medical sciences, and the last 2 years and doctors of philosophy in this specialty.
UAFM appealed for support to the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Education and Science, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, the Ministry of Education and Science. UAFM leaders gave several interviews to the mass media and a special medical publication for family doctors: the newspaper “Vashe Zdorovya”.
In addition, UAFM, as a long-term member of WONCA, has sought support from its international partners. We are sincerely grateful to our Western colleagues, the WONCA Europe its network EGPRN and personally Prof. Mehmet Ungan, Prof. Shlomo Vinker, and Prof. Davorina Petek for their quick response to our request and the letter of strong support, which was translated and sent to the above authorities. At the moment, the Ukrainian community of family doctors is looking forward to an answer and a positive solution to this problem.
Extremely interesting reports of foreign colleagues were heard during the conference. The head of the department for contacts with foreign partners, associate professor Pavel Kolesnyk, invited several recognized honorary speakers from Europe to participate. The audience's attention was attracted by the report of Prof. Mehmet Ungan on the role of the family doctor in the era of digital health discussed the possibility of limiting the use of digital technology in primary care.
We are also sincerely grateful to Israeli expert Jan Miskin for his report on clinical issues and the management of patients with COVID 19, the achievements and challenges of vaccination.
Within the framework of the conference, a section meeting of the heads of primary care centers was held, where the problems of interaction with specialists, rural medicine, the need to introduce quality indicators and targeted funding of the industry, including preventive work of family doctors. The traditional section of young scientists was interesting, where the results of scientific research of young family doctors was presented.
We hope that soon it will be possible to hold forums face to face and meet each other in person.
06/05/2021
m. Kyiv
UAFM President Larisa Matyukha