FROM THE PRESIDENT J U L Y
2 0 2 2
FACE-TO-FACE WITH WONCA
Nothing save change itself can last. Loosely, from Alan Watts, The Wisdom of Insecurity, 1968
To actually meet each other, in person. What a difference it makes. I’ve been traveling with WONCA during the past month, almost nonstop, luxuriating in seeing my colleagues and friends, hearing their actual voices, after more than two pandemic years.
F R O M
My tour reconfirmed the importance of the human touch – communication among us, as colleagues, as well between our patients and ourselves.
T H E
In addition to the inspiring meetings and Conferences I attended, I’ve met and spoken with a huge number of WONCA members and colleagues. Surprisingly, although we work in an intriguing array of contexts, the challenges we face are very often similar.
P R E S I D E N T
Two unhelpful common trends are that Primary Care and Family Medicine receive far less funding than does Secondary Care. Also, many local authorities try to micromanage physicians and other healthcare workers in an effort to achieve budgetary control. Nonetheless, WONCA members maintain the passion needed to carry on with their daily clinical work, seeing their patients, and advocating in their local contexts for Primary Care to be strengthened. I have seen their smiles, and heard their laughter, everywhere I’ve gone. That is encouraging!
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