Suchergebnisse

Thirty years ago, the Declaration of Alma-Ata defined health as a "complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity" and also stated that the access to basic health services was a fundamental human right. ; peer-reviewed

Although we are in a time of progress and civilization, uncountable natural and man-made disasters are going on all the world. We are unable to avoid terrorism, wars and violence and at times, like the recent Haiti disaster, feel that we are entrapped between national policies and medical ethics. In 1978 the WHO in the Alma-Ata conference identified primary health care as the key to achieving an acceptable level of health throughout the world. Besides the technical education of the family physician, political, ethical, and communicative competencies are very important foe the multi-professional approach of a family physician. A successful humanitarian work depends on historical and ethical consciousness, knowledge of international humanitarian law and a culturally sensitive healthcare provision based on social and communicative competencies. ; peer-reviewed

Background Substantial variations are still to be found in the strength of general practice/family medicine (GP/FM) across Europe regarding governance, workforce competence and performance, as well as academic development and position. Governments are encouraged by the WHO to secure high quality primary health care to their population, a necessity for reaching the goal "Health for all". The present study aimed at investigating the opinions of council members of the European Academy of Teachers in General Practice (EURACT) on necessary actions to strengthen the position of GP/FM in their country. Methods The study used a mixed methods exploratory sequential design. EURACT representatives from 32 European countries first participated in brain-storming on how to strengthen GP/FM in Europe. Later, representatives from 37 countries were asked to individually score the relevance of the proposed actions for their country on a 9-point Likert scale. They were also asked to evaluate the status of GP/FM in their country on four dimensions. Results Respondents from 30 European countries returned complete questionnaires. To build and secure GP/FM as an academic discipline comprising teaching and research was seen as essential, regardless the present status of GP/FM in the respective country. To build GP/FM as a specialty on the same level as other specialties was seen as important in countries where GP/FM held a strong or medium strong position. The importance of common learning objectives and a defined bibliography were stated by respondents from countries where GP/FM presently has a weak position. Conclusions In order to strengthen GP/FM throughout Europe, EURACT and other professional organizations must establish common goals and share expertise between countries. To influence decision makers through information on cost-effectiveness of a GP/FM-based health care system is also important.