Cultivating the Future - One size does not fit all
the WONCA Europe statement 2024
Family medicine plays a crucial role in primary care by offering comprehensive, continuous, and personalised healthcare to individuals of all ages, often serving as the first point of contact within the healthcare system. It manages a wide range of health issues, coordinates specialist care, and supports preventive care and the management of chronic conditions. By building long-term relationships with patients and their families, family medicine ensures holistic and patient-centered care, fostering better health outcomes and more efficient use of healthcare resources.
The growing complexity of healthcare, with an emphasis on chronic disease management and preventive care, often strains resources and demands continual adaptation. Additionally, there is a shortage of primary care workforce and growing administrative burdens. Healthcare policies are evolving and that can detract from direct patient care. The diversity of health systems, population demographics, cultural norms, geography, economic conditions and political environments require tailored solution-focused approaches.
WONCA Europe calls on all stakeholders to engage in interdisciplinary and intersectoral collaborative solution-focused dialogues to develop and evaluate practical approaches that address the specific needs and challenges of different populations.
WONCA Europe proposes the following actions to address this diversity and promote equitable access to quality primary care:
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Culturally competent care: Implement training programs for healthcare professionals to improve cultural competency and sensitivity to diverse patient populations. This will ensure that primary care is delivered in a way that respects (diverse) cultural norms and values.
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Community engagement and empowerment: Encourage local community involvement to understand their healthcare needs, establishing community health centres, outreach programs, and tailored public health campaigns.
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Flexible service delivery models: Introduce flexible service delivery models, like telemedicine and mobile health units, to reach underserved communities, including rural, remote, and displaced populations.
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Integrated care systems: Promote integrating primary, specialised, and social services for holistic care addressing medical and social determinants, supporting patients with complex needs.
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Health policy adaptation: Advocate for policies addressing diverse population needs, including financing, workforce planning, and regulation, to reduce access inequalities and promote health equity.
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Research and data collection: Support research to understand specific healthcare needs of different groups, informing targeted interventions for better primary care outcomes.
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Sustainability: Promote medical education and training for more sustainable healthcare - reducing wasteful and harmful medical activities, increasing patient involvement for healthier lifestyle, and increasing collaboration with other disciplines.
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Leadership and Advocacy: Develop leadership programs for family doctors to advance their profession and communities, driving healthcare improvements, promoting patient-centered care, and ensuring equitable access to a supported and resourced workforce.