WONCA NEWS November 2022

VOL 48 | NUMBER 9

NEWS

2022

N O V E M B E R

WONCA PRESIDENT DR ANNA STAVDAL (NORWAY) EMAIL: PRESIDENT@WONCA.NET TWITTER: @ASTAVDAL WONCA IMMEDIATE PAST - PRESIDENT DR DONALD LI (HONG KONG) PRESIDENT-ELECT ASSOC PROF KAREN FLEGG (AUSTRALIA) EXECUTIVE MEMBER AT LARGE & HONORARY TREASURER PROF VAL WASS (UK) EXECUTIVE MEMBER AT LARGE DR MARÍA PILAR ASTIER PEÑA (SPAIN)

CONTENT FROM THE PRESIDENT

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WONCA & WHO NEWS

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WONCA REGIONS

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EXECUTIVE MEMBER AT LARGE PROF SHABIR MOOSA (SOUTH AFRICA)

7TH WONCA EMR REGIONAL CONFERENCE |OMAN

REGIONAL PRESIDENT, WONCA AFRICA DR DAN ABUBAKAR (NIGERIA)

VIII IBERO-AMERICAN SUMMIT OF FAMILY MEDICINE | GUATEMALA

REGIONAL PRESIDENT, WONCA ASIA PACIFIC ASSOC PROF MOHAMMAD HUSNI JAMAL (MALAYSIA) REGIONAL PRESIDENT, WONCA EAST MEDITERRANEAN PROF TAGHREED MOHAMED FARAHAT (EGYPT) REGIONAL PRESIDENT, WONCA EUROPE PROF SHLOMO VINKER (ISRAEL) REGIONAL PRESIDENT, WONCA IBEROAMERICANACIMF ADJ/PROF JACQUELINE PONZO (URUGUAY) REGIONAL PRESIDENT, WONCA NORTH AMERICA DR JEFF MARKUNS (USA) REGIONAL PRESIDENT, WONCA SOUTH ASIA DR TARIQ AZIZ (PAKISTAN) YOUNG DOCTORS' REPRESENTATIVE DR SANKHA RANDENIKUMARA (SRI LANKA) WONCA CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER DR HARRIS LYGIDAKIS WONCA WORLD SECRETARIAT WORLD ORGANIZATION OF FAMILY DOCTORS AVENUE DES ARTS 7-8 1210 BRUSSELS BELGIUM EMAIL: SECRETARIAT@WONCA.NET PHONE: +32 (0) 2 329 00 75 WONCA EDITOR MARIA DOLORES ZAVALA EMAIL: EDITOR@WONCA.NET TRANSLATIONS DR JIE GU DR HUA YANG DR JULIEN ARTIGNY

WP & SIGS NEWS

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WP ON EDUCATION: FREE ACCESS CONCESSIONS ANNOUNCED WP ON RESEARCH: WEBINAR SERIES SIG ON POLICY ADVOCACY E-WORKSHOP

FEATURED STORIES

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ADVOCACY IS AN ART THAT CAN BE LEARNED ASTANA DECLARATION ANNIVERSARY

YDM NEWS

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YOUNG DOCTORS’ COMMITMENT TOWARDS PRIMARY HEALTH CARE THE SPICE ROUTE CELEBRATES WORLD DIABETES DAY

WONCA CONFERENCES

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WONCA VISITS SYDNEY WONCA 2023 IN SYDNEY WILL BE THE CONFERENCE OF YOUR CAREER: MARK MORGAN WONCA SYDNEY EXTENDS PROGRAM SUBMISSIONS DEADLINE 7TH WONCA AFRICA REGION CONFERENCE 2022 WONCA ASIA PACIFIC REGIONAL CONFERENCE 28TH WONCA EUROPE CONFERENCE

ANNOUNCEMENTS AND UPDATES

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FROM THE PRESIDENT N O V E M B E R

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NEGATIVE SIDE EFFECTS OF CLINICAL GUIDELINES?

F R O M

Medicine’s ‘gold standard’ these days is Evidence Based Medicine (EBM). Most of us agree that what’s best for our patients is treatment based solidly on scientific knowledge. We rarely recall, however, that the concept of clinical guidelines based on EBM is quite a new-comer to the history of medicine. As recently as the 1980’s, when I graduated from medical school, no reference was made to ‘guidelines’ during our case conferences.

We relied on our textbooks and what we’d learned from our teachers to arrive at diagnoses and treatment plans.

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provide the health care services recommended by the guidelines.

T H E

In fact, EBM didn’t emerge as a trend or a ‘movement’ until the start of the millennium. The Cochrane Foundation was a prime mover internationally with their early marketing slogan: “Trusted evidence. Informed decisions. Better health.”

P R E S I D E N T

Since then, national, regional and international stakeholders and agencies have come up with a multiplicity of clinical guidelines. Many if not most of these resulted from consensus processes, mainly involving secondary care specialists from a variety specialties.

While ‘evidence’ and ‘consensus’ sound good, can there be too much of a good thing? The recent USA “Cochrane Sustainable Health Care” study regarding “overuse and de-implementation” Calculated that each Primary Care Doctor would have to use 26.7 hours of each 24-hour day to

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If the care were offered in the context of a Team Practice, that could be reduced to [merely] 9.3 hours per day.

This, he suggested, came of combining EBM with contextualized, interpreted/narrated knowledge.

“Value Based Medicine,” he wrote, “is provided by those who believe in the truth, but at the same time choose to prove what is ‘not proven’, and then combine the two.” He termed that mix, ‘Wisdom Based Medicine’.

How could the medical community be so oblivious as to paint itself into such a corner?

As first line providers of medical care we have a duty to stay abreast of developments within medicine that might prove beneficial to our patients. We have an equally important duty to protect them from measures which might harm them. As the saying goes, To a man with a hammer, everything looks like a nail. No matter how useful Evidence Based guidelines may be as tools, they ought not become that sort of hammer.

Is the guideline based on scientific criteria that are “true”?

Is it useful for this individual – your patient in this specific situation?

In 1996, while EBM was on the rise, a well-known Norwegian writer and thinker, Dr. Geir Sverre Braut, reflected on this sort of dilemma in an essay published in our National Family Medicine journal. There he proposed that a broader concept could serve as our ideal – ‘Value Based Medicine’.

Because one size almost never fits all, our obligation to reflect and then tailor our actions remains imperative. Practitioners of Family Medicine provide personalized care. When care serves our patients’ best, they become healthier.

When lots of healthy individuals come together, healthy societies are born and may grow.

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Is it relevant – to you, your patient, and the community – that is, to the context within which it’s being applied?

T H E

This is where reflection, the hallmark of Family Medicine, comes in. In clinical situations, considering three simple questions may help us relate to guidelines wisely:

F R O M

Guidelines are based on research results and agendas that are set up by a variety of agencies and stakeholders. End users, meanwhile, are left in the dark as to the origins of the research questions, the theories on which they are based, and the sources funding the projects; these remain unspecified. Of even greater consequence than this lack of transparency is the near total failure of the research agendas to integrate, or even mention, our specialty's values base. The very complexity of a person centered approach, which aims toward being comprehensive, does make the process of designing wellcontextualized, evidence based research more difficult. Not even making that effort, however, can yield only fragmented knowledge – knowledge broken into decontextualized fragments that may prove neither applicable nor useful within a clinical setting. Add to that the reality that multiple, evidence based guidelines may prove incompatible with each other, not only contradictory but potentially dangerous when we attempt to apply them to the individual in front of us

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COLLABORATING WITH THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION

WONCA & WHO NEWS

We look forward to further communications between WPWFM and PMNCH to inform our member organisations when the country-led actions are defined and launched .

We aim to strengthen links between WONCA working parties , the WONCA executive and the WHO. By sharing expertise and information we can work collaboratively and strategically to: Build sustainable collaborations so that impetus is not lost when leadership changes.

Thank you Amanda.

Harness expertise within working parties to show case to WHO how WONCA can contribute.

PROF VAL WASS WHO LIAISON

Contribute effectively to the crucial work needed post covid address health inequities and highlight the role of primary care in achieving UHC. We aim to strengthen links between WONCA working parties , the WONCA executive and the WHO. By sharing expertise and information we can work collaboratively and strategically to: THE PARTNERSHIP FOR MATERNAL, NEWBORN AND CHILD HEALTH (PMNCH) We were delighted that Professor Amanda Howe represented the WONCA Working Party of Women and Family Medicine (WPWFM) at a recent meeting of the PMNCH. PMNCH are launching action:

“Decades of progress in improving women’s, children’s and adolescents’ health (WCAH) are now under threat of reversal due to the triple combination of COVID19, conflict and climate change. Increasing threats to sexual and reproductive health (SRHR) intensify these challenges. PMNCH – the world’s largest alliance for women, children and adolescents -- is responding vigorously. By scaling up evidence-based advocacy efforts for investments, policy and service delivery, PMNCH’s 1,300 member-organizations are seeking to support country-led action and improve accountability, especially for the most vulnerable.”

PROF AMANDA HOWE

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WONCA EMR REGIONAL CONFERENCE WHERE OPPORTUNITY MEETS ACTION

The 7th edition of the WONCA East Mediterranean Region Family Medicine Congress 2022 was held from 10th – 12th November 2022 in Muscat – Oman.

The event was organised by WONCA EMR, addressing the theme of "where opportunity meets action". The congress vision was to facilitate an enabling environment to encourage and support the development of academic organisations and general practitioners/ family physicians. The conference provided an outstanding opportunity for everyone to benefit from the interactive format of top peer educators in the fast-paced sessions, clinical workshops providing evidence-based answers, advanced healthcare solutions and technologies in the modern world aiding healthcare systems ensuring the highest quality patient outcomes.

WONCA EMR executive board meeting, held face to face for the first time since March, 2019.

The ceremony was also preceded by Dr Ahmed AlMandhari, Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean of the World Health Organization, who emphasised that “Strengthening primary health care through a family practice-based model of care is essential to achieve universal health coverage UHC and the Sustainable Development Goals SDGs.”

Dr Abdulaziz Al-Mahrezi, Congress president, President of the Oman Family Medicine Society and President-Elect of WONCA EMR, hosted the

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WHO Session - Overview of WHO EMRO and WONCA EMR collaboration

The first session : FM role during Covid 19 era

WONCA EMR President, Prof. Taghreed Farahat, also took part in the opening ceremony remotely, with a speech shared by the WONCA EMR Secretary. Her message underlined the voice of WONCA, inviting participants to join the WONCA working parties or special interest groups activities. Prof Farahat also acknowledged with standing ovations the work of the previous WONCA and WONCA EMR leaders for their achievements in growing family medicine in the region.

Over three days, the conference witnessed participants from 22 countries attend through multiple keynote sessions, parallel sessions and abstract presentations. The conference offered 15 scientific sessions in parallel with 13 workshops hosted by 50 faculty members.

WONCA EMR is paying tributary to: WONCA EMR past president Dr. Mohamed Tarawnh WONCA EMR immediate past president : Dr. Jinan Usta

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YDM Rrepresentative. Dr Sankha Randenikumara message on behalf of WONCA President, Dr Anna Stavdal

YOUNG DOCTORS' MOVEMENT - AL RAZI PRE-CONFERENCE Al Razi, the regional Young Doctors' Movement, hosted the Pre-Conference with four scheduled workshops.

WONCA EMR elect chair Dr Abdelaziz Al-Mahrezi

Al Razi YDM Preconference opening workshops were down by WONCA EMR elect chair Dr Abdelaziz Al-Mahrezi, WONCA EMR honorary Secretary Nagwa Nashat, YDM world representative Sankha and AlRazi YDM chair, Anas Almohtaseb.

AlRazi YDM chair Anas Almohtaseb.

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CONFERENCE RECOMMENDATIONS 1. Strengthen cooperation with the World Organization of Family Physicians (WONCA) and explore the possibility of hosting the World Conference of the Organization in the Sultanate of Oman 2. Support the establishment of a Gulf Society of Family Medicine in coordination with the Gulf Societies and Associations of Family Medicine to enhance the role of this specialty in the Gulf health system 3. Promote the concepts and principles of Family Medicine as an essential part of the Primary Health Care system to the decision-makers and the community

OMAN TV coverage of WONCA EMR Conference 2022

4. Develop strategies to improve the services provided by Family Doctors to facilitate the patient's access to health services and enable Family Doctors to provide sustainable and comprehensive care 5. Enable access to all diagnostic and therapeutic procedures in Primary Health Care institutes for all common diseases, especially chronic diseases 6. Develop a strategic plan to achieve the required balance between the number of Family Doctors in each country and the actual need to improve the health services provided 7. Strengthen the relations between the Oman Society of Family Medicine and the Family Medicine societies and associations in the countries of the region to invest in scientific research and other fields related to Family Medicine and provide a stimulating environment for research work

Session 5: NCD Best Practice Management II Friday, November 11, 2022 at 10:45 AM - 12:30 PM on Hypoglycemia in diabetes: Causes and implications Maisa Al-Kiyumi Oman

8. Encourage the utilisation of modern technologies to improve the services provided by Family Doctorsps hosted by 50 faculty members. written by: NAGWA NASHAT HEGAZY, WONCA EMR HONORARY SECRETARY

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IBERO-AMERICAN SUMMIT OF FAMILY MEDICINE 2022 FAMILY AND COMMUNITY MEDICINE, AN ESSENTIAL SPECIALTY FOR THE TRANSFORMATION OF HEALTH SYSTEMS IN THE 21ST CENTURY

Gerardo Alfaro, representative of OPS Guatemala, José Flamenco, Chairman of the Board of Directors of IGSS, WONCA President, Dr Anna Stavdal, WONCA Iberoamericana – CIMF Regional President, Dr Jaqueline Ponzo, Dr Francisco Coma, Minister of Public Health of Guatemala and Dr Edwin Montúfar, Vice Minister of Primary Health Care.

WONCA President, Dr Anna Stavdal, joined the VIII Ibero-American Summit of Family Medicine in Guatemala. The event, whose central theme was "Family and Community Medicine, an essential specialty for the transformation of health systems in the 21st century", was held in the capital city of Guatemala on 10 and 11 November 2022.

On her speech, WONCA President Anna Stavdal highlighted the importance of the family medicine specialty to achieve universal health coverage with primary care as the cornerstone of health systems.

“People need health care where they live, in their communities. Hospitals and secondary care services are important, but what most people need is basic healthcare, tailored to their needs and accessible, both financially and geographically.”

Dr Stavdal was present at the opening session, preceded by Dr Francisco Coma, Minister of Public Health and Social Assistance (MSPAS), José Adolfo Flamenco, President of the Board of Directors of the Guatemalan Social Security Institute (IGSS), and Dr Jacqueline Ponzo, Regional President of WONCA IberoamericanaCIMF.

ESTE ARTÍCULO TAMBIÉN ESTÁ DISPONIBLE EN ESPAÑOL

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During the second day of activities, Dr Stavdal led the session "Lessons learned worldwide for the best implementation of Family and Community Medicine in health systems", along with Dr Gabriela Di Croce, regional representative of residents and young specialists of the Waynakay Movement.

Days before the event, Dr Stavdal also participated in the Day of residents and young specialists in Family and Community Medicine led

by Waynakay Movement. The session had the face-to-face participation of young doctors and residents from multiple Latin American countries and the virtual presence route of Dr Sankha Randenikumara, leader of YDM - WONCA.

WONCA President, Dr Anna Stavdal

Activities of the WONCA Young Doctors Movement - Waynakay Preconference

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The VIII Ibero-American Summit of Family Medicine culminated with the reading and signing of the Declaration of Guatemala, which represents a commitment to promote family and community medicine in the region. The document was signed in an act at the National Palace of Culture in Guatemala City.

WONCA Iberoamericana - CIMF Regional President, Dr Jacqueline Ponzo

PRESS RELEASE: GUATEMALA MOVES FORWARD IN THE INSTITUTIONALIZATION OF FAMILY MEDICINE The Minister of Public Health and Social Assistance -MSPAS-, Dr Francisco Coma, along with the President of the Board of Directors of the Guatemalan Social Security Institute -IGSS-, José Adolfo Flamenco; and the president of the World Organization of Family Physicians WONCA Iberoamericana - CIMF, Dr Jacqueline Ponzo, inaugurated the VIII Ibero-American Summit of Family Medicine -CIMF- and Community Medicine, with an essential specialty for the transformation of health systems in the 21st century. The event took place in a hotel in zone 10 of the capital on November 10 and 11.

The objective of this summit was to promote progress towards universal health access and the institutionalization of family medicine to strengthen skills, quality, and the profile of specialists and the system.

The conference represents the maximum regional event of WONCA Iberoamericana -CIMF-, due to its political-technical nature, which favours participatory work to improve institutional and societal commitments.

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This event also contributes to a creative exchange that allows recognising of the paths and processes that Guatemala can follow to install the specialization in the branch; a process that has been closely followed by the Pan American Health Organization -PAHO- to track the agreements and progress to achieve the objectives set.

WONCA Iberoamericana - CIMF Regional President, Dr Jacqueline Ponzo

During the summit activities, Minister Coma stated: “It is a privilege for me to share with experts who have helped to reform the health systems of many countries. Having the support and conviction of more than one institution to integrate family and community medicine in our country is comforting. This summit comes to strengthen the knowledge of our health workers and inter-institutional efforts to reach all corners of the country, despite the distance and difficult access”.

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Meanwhile, José Adolfo Flamenco commented: "Guatemala is ready and needs to take this step, because family and community medicine is the differentiating element to promote a new service model."

“I feel honoured to participate in this important challenge of seeking a solution and a path to respond to the needs of the Guatemalan population, which are not very different from those of the countries of our region”, noted the president of WONCA Iberoamericana, Dr Ponzo.

Family and Community Medicine is a discipline that has a wide field ofknowledge, which will strengthen the first level of care of the Ministry of Health and Social Security, with the support of strategic allies, with whom we have worked shoulder to shoulder. to improve the health system in the country.

In addition to the authorities, the representative of the inter-institutional technical board of family and community medicine, Dr Julio Valdés; among other important guests.

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On the last day of activities WONCA President, Dr Anna Stavdal visited local clinics in the town of Santa Catarina, located 10 km from Antigua, Guatemala.

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WORKING PARTY ON EDUCATION

EDUCATION FOR PRIMARY CARE FREE ACCESS CONCESSIONS ANNOUNCED The annual meeting of Education for Primary Care, our affiliated WONCA journal, took place last week. Dr Victor Ng, Chair of the WONCA Education Working Party is on the Editorial Board joined virtually.

The publishers, Taylor and Francis, reported good and steady progress as paper views and downloads increase, international submissions rise and there is evidence of impact. This is so important as, to address the shortfall of Family Medicine Doctors, the role of Education in Primary Care in workforce development becomes of paramount importance.

PROF VAL WASS

Former Chair WONCA Working Party on Education, writes on the latest open access items in Education for Primary Care.

If you are involved in postgraduate training, an excellent article from Australia on supporting GP supervisors is openly available I am delighted that the publishers have agreed to reinstate an increased monthly free access to a selected paper. We will announce these, starting with the December free access paper, in the weekly e-bulletins.

We thank Taylor and Francis and the editor Professor Simon Gay, for this valuable concession to widen journal access across all our members .

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FAMILY MEDICINE AND PRIMARY HEALTH CARE DEVELOPMENT AROUND THE WORLD WEBINAR SERIES SESSION 1: DECEMBER 12, 2022 9:00 AM UTC CORE FUNCTIONS OF PRIMARY CARE, LEARNING FROM SOUTH AFRICA, JAPAN, MYANMAR AND THAILAND A webinar series organized by WONCA Working Party on Research under the title “Family Medicine and Primary Health Care Development Around the World", from 2022 to 2023.

This webinar series served as a platform for sharing information on how Family Physicians/General Practitioners and primary health care systems function in countries with different contexts and developments. To understand the core functions of primary care (comprehensiveness, coordination, continuity, access), in this first session, we are going to present a case with multi-morbid conditions with acute and chronic issues to manage and learn how the case is managed in 4 countries: South Africa, Japan, Myanmar and Thailand.

This session also allows the audience to participate in the discussion, an opportunity to learn and adopt new ideas to improve the system in each country.

This session also allows the audience to participate in the discussion, an opportunity to learn and adopt new ideas to improve the system in each country.

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SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP ON POLICY ADVOCACY

E-WORKSHOP: HOW TO ADVOCATE FOR FAMILY MEDICINE? Dear WONCA colleagues, We are delighted to continue the work of the SIG on Policy Advocacy to help us to be more effective advocates for family medicine. See more about the SIG and join the SIG here: SIG Policy Advocacy Webpage

The workshop will be a mix of panel discussion, small groups discussions and feedback in plenary.

We hope the collective expertise in WONCA will provide for a stimulating discussion. Please put the best slot for your time in the diary now!

Hoping to see you on 1st December!

We would love these e-workshops to share attempts at advocacy of family medicine, whether at local, national, regional or global level and whether failed or succeeded, as we feel this is the best source of learning. Please contact either one of the co-chairs if you are willing to share your experience or any other relevant expertise. It would be great if you can email a 250 word abstract, attach related publications or documents and a few questions that would be useful for group discussion. The objective is not just to share stories but to share reflections/learnings that could become general principles for others to become better advocates for family medicine.

In the first webinar for our SIG, we talked about some of the core principles of advocacy and shared an example by our colleague Prof Husni Jamal of his work at the national level in Malaysia.

We are planning an e-Workshop every few months with two e-workshops on the same day at different time zones. to cater to the diversity of WONCA. Our next interactive e-Workshop on “How to advocate for Family Medicine” is on Thurs 1st December 08h00-10h00 GMT (Check your local time HERE) and 16h00-18h00 GMT (Check your local time HERE).

Register for the Zoom meeting using the registration links below 08h00 – 10h00 GMT Registration Link 15h00 – 17h00 GMT Registration Link

CONVENORS | CHAIRS

Our theme of learning from experiences of others will continue in this webinar, where we are delighted that our core speakers will be our colleagues Dr Raquel Gomez Bravo, Sara Ares, and Harris Lygidakis. Raquel and Sara will share their multidimensional approach to influence family medicine’s opportunities and status in Europe, while Harris as WONCA CEO will build on his headlines on “The Science and Art of Communication” set out in the September newsletter.

PROF. SHABIR MOOSA MEMBER AT LARGE, WONCA

PROF. AMANDA HOWE - PAST PRESIDENT, WONCA

JOIN THIS SIG

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WP ON MENTAL HEALTH

ADVOCACY

IS AN ART THAT CAN BE LEARNED THIS PROGRAM WAS FUNDED BY A DISCRETIONARY GRANT FROM WONCA EXECUTIVE, THE FARLEY CENTER AND FACULTY VOLUNTEERISM. BACKGROUND The burden of mental health disorders continues to grow and is a major cause of disability worldwide. Patients frequently present with mental health issues in primary care settings. The WONCA Working Party for Mental Health collaborated with the Farley Health Policy Center to develop and implement a pilot program to help young family doctors learn the steps and process to integrate mental health care into primary care delivery, develop the skills needed for practice transformation, and enable them to become advocates for system change in their local area.

METHODS Learners: Twelve young family physicians from ten countries - Australia, Ghana, Guyana, Indonesia, Kenya, Nepal, Peru, Spain, Sri Lanka, and Tunisia – in urban and rural settings.

Faculty: United States, England, Hong Kong Two six-person cohorts met in facilitated, virtual monthly sessions via Zoom for 90 minutes, March – September 2020. Asynchronous learning occurred between sessions using e-learning modules, books, and other resources. Each participant set individual program goal and had access to mentorship from a senior family physician. A two-phase evaluation process at midpoint and program-end included learner focus groups, written questionnaires, and faculty focus groups.

Prof Christopher Dowrick, WONCA Working Party for Mental Health

CURRICULUM Introduction to behavioural integration Leadership Team-based care Quality improvement Burnout and resilience Advocacy

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LEARNER PROGRAM GOALS Educate other primary care clinicians and health care workers about integrated care, behavioural health conditions, and advocacy for better behavioural health care (5 learners) Improve team-based care to address behavioural health needs (3 learners) Establish high-quality systems of care to address behavioural health needs (2 learners) Collate community resources for social prescribing (1 learner) Increase patient awareness of behavioral health issues and available supports (1 learner)

Learners were resilient, flexible, and committed to the program during the COVID19 pandemic. Participating in the program was therapeutic and a reminder of why they chose primary care Learners were invested in each other’s goals and lives. They were inspired by one another, valued the experience and expertise among the diverse group, and plan to remain connected. “Learning there are people trying to improve primary care around the world, especially related to mental health issues, is very motivating.”

EVALUATION

NEXT STEPS

Learners reported increased confidence and skills to implement change. They established clear visions for what they can do in their own settings and made incremental progress on their program goals. “I now approach obstacles as a challenge. What I’ve learned last few weeks is never stop knocking on the door. And if you find a closed door, could be directing you to something more successful.”

Learners continue to work towards their program goals and stay connected via WhatsApp group, and with support from program faculty and mentors.

Write proposals to fund future cohorts.

READ THE COMPLETE ARTICLE - ADVOCACY TRAINING FOR YOUNG FAMILY DOCTORS IN PRIMARY MENTAL HEALTH CARE: A REPORT AND GLOBAL CALL TO ACTION

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ASTANA DECLARATION ANNIVERSARY In 1978, a pivotal conference was held in Almaty, Kazakhstan, bringing together health experts and world leaders to commit to health for all.

Endorsed at that conference, the declaration formed the foundation for the last 40 years of global primary health care efforts.

WONCA was present at the Global Conference on Primary Health Care in Astana. Now, on its 4th anniversary, we launch a recognition campaign to raise awareness for this international declaration and commitments to PHC strengthening, reflecting on progress/difficulties in different countries and sharing the perspectives of the WONCA Young Doctors Movements.

The Global Conference on Primary Health Care in Astana, Kazakhstan in October 2018 endorsed a new declaration emphasizing the critical role of primary health care around the world. The declaration aims to refocus efforts on primary health care to ensure that everyone everywhere is able to enjoy the highest possible attainable standard of health.

READ THE DECLARATION HERE

WONCA was represented at the Global Conference on Primary Health Care by Past President, Dr Donald Li and former executive representatives

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ASTANA DECLARATION ANNIVERSARY

YOUNG DOCTORS’ COMMITMENT TOWARDS PRIMARY HEALTH CARE An important International Conference on Primary Health Care was held in, back then, AlmaAta, Kazakhstan, in 1978, bringing together health experts and world leaders. The Alma-Ata Declaration was adopted at this conference, which urged signatories to incorporate the concept of primary health care in their health systems to protect and promote "health of all".

On the occasion of the 4th Anniversary of the Astana Declaration, the WONCA Young Doctors’ Movements (YDM), in collaboration with the Junior Doctors’ Network (JDN) of the World Medical Association- WMA and young doctors of African Forum for Primary Health Care (AfroPHC) to launch a social media campaign to raise awareness on this international declaration and increase the young doctors' commitment to strengthen primary health care through their action. Acknowledging its importance, WONCA extended the social media campaign to all its members by introducing a commemorative ‘Astana Anniversary profile picture frame’ for social media users.

Forty years later, the Global Conference on Primary Health Care in Astana, Kazakhstan, in October 2018, endorsed a new declaration reiterating the critical role of primary health care worldwide. The declaration aimed to refocus efforts on primary health care to ensure the highest possible attainable standard of health for everyone, everywhere. WONCA was also present at the Global Conference on Primary Health Care in Astana as one of the primary stakeholders.

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ASTANA DECLARATION ANNIVERSARY

The social media campaign by the WONCA YDM and all collaborating organisations ran from the 20th until the 26th of October when the original Astana Declaration was launched. The WONCA YDM promoted the campaign with three publications per day on Facebook for one week, with young doctors from all seven WONCA regional YDMs reflecting on progress and challenges in different countries, sharing the perspectives of WONCA YDM and showing their strong determination to achieve universal health coverage through fostering primary care.

WONCA's official Facebook page, official Twitter handle and official LinkedIn account contributed to the campaign, furthering its reach. Similarly, WMA JDN and AfroPHC joined the campaign via their social media platforms. All the organisations involved used the hashtags #Astana4PHC #youngdoctors4Astana to promote the campaign.

The Astana Declaration Anniversary campaign represents a successful effort, with extended reach and post engagements in social media platforms related to WONCA, WMA JDN and AfroPHC, reflecting the young doctors’ willingness to commit to primary health care towards a promising future.

DR SANKHA RANDENIKUMARA YOUNG DOCTORS’ REPRESENTATIVE OF WONCA

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D O C T O R S ;

M O V E M E N T S

THE SPICE ROUTE CELEBRATES WORLD DIABETES DAY Diabetes Mellitus has always been one of the biggest concerns among healthcare professionals, with millions of people requiring ongoing care and support to manage their condition and avoid complications. According to the International Diabetes Federation, approximately 537 million adults globally are living with Diabetes Mellitus, with greater prevalence among the South Asian population. A considerable part of this population does not have access to Diabetes care. For that reason, stakeholders must act promptly to provide better access to medicine, technologies and support to these people. Also, Governments should invest in Diabetes care, prevention, and screening to manage this global health concern.

YDM NEWS

The session, with the theme “Access to Diabetes Care”, was hosted by the Spice Route team Pakistan, with the participation of young doctors from multiple regions, including Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

During the session, moderated by Dr Wajeeha Noorulain from Pakistan, Dr Krithika Ganesh from India presented on the topic “Role of Family Physicians in Diabetes Care”, followed by Dr Sharmeen Shiraz from Sri Lanka with the theme “Health Education and Diabetes Management”.

The third speaker was Dr Hina Jawaid from Pakistan, who presented on “Diabetes and Insulin Management: A Primary care perspective.”

The speakers focused on the rising number of people affected by Diabetes, setting an added strain on the healthcare systems. Speakers highlighted that among all the health care professionals, the role of a Family Physician is crucial in the early detection, diagnosis, management, and prevention of the condition. A Primary care physician can provide early and the best possible care to people living with Diabetes, in need of access to ongoing education to understand their condition and carry out the daily self-care essential to staying healthy and avoiding complications. The session also discussed the role of Insulin in managing Diabetes, with the strategies that can help control the condition without possible complications. Presenters also reinforced the need for further activities highlighting the demand for better access to quality Diabetes.

Given the above statistics, the Spice Route Movement, the Young Doctor Movement of WONCA South Asia, virtually celebrated World Diabetes Day on November 14th with a webinar, part of the regular series of the Spice Route Movement CPD program.

written by:

DR. ZAINAB. M. ANJARWALA CHAIR: SPICE ROUTE MOVEMENT, YDM WONCA SOUTH ASIA

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WONCA NEWS

W O N C A

C O N F E R E N C E S WONCA CONFERENCES

LESS THAN A YEAR AWAY FOR

WONCA VISITS SYDNEY WONCA CEO, Dr Harris Lygidakis, and Associate Professor Bohumil Seifert, Chair of the WONCA 2013 Prague Conference, visited Sydney, Australia, where the WONCA World Conference will take place on 26 – 29 October 2023, hosted by the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners.

The visit, which aimed to review the preparations for this celebration of primary care, was led by Adj. Prof Karen Price, chair of the Host Organising Committee and RACGP President; Prof Mark Morgan, Chair of the Scientific Committee; Dr Nicole Higgins, RACGP President-Elect; Paul Wappett RACGP CEO; and A/Prof Karen Flegg, WONCA President Elect.

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WONCA NEWS

W O N C A

C O N F E R E N C E S WONCA CONFERENCES

During their stay, the WONCA representatives discovered the facilities of the International Convention Centre, where the WONCA PreConference and Conference 2023 will be held.

They also visited the venue of the WONCA Regional and World Council meetings in 2023. (21 October 2023, and 22 -24 October 2023, respectively) “Thrilled to see the superb preparations of the organising team! This will be a wonderful way to celebrate WONCA’s 50th anniversary & connect with our community”, said Dr Harris Lygidakis, WONCA CEO.

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WONCA NEWS

W O N C A

C O N F E R E N C E S WONCA CONFERENCES

After nearly half a century, WONCA returns to Australia to celebrate its 50th anniversary in Sydney, where family doctors, GPs and primary healthcare specialists from around the world will come together for the largest global gathering of primary care to share research and discuss best practices, keeping communities healthy on an international level.

Registration and call for submission are now open. Find all the information at the official website wonca.racgp.org.au and be a part of history at WONCA’s 50th-anniversary conference in Sydney on 26–29 October 2023!

The WONCA World Conference 2023 will offer a dynamic program for in-person attendees and a fully digital experience via the conference platform for those not able to meet in person.

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WONCA NEWS

W O N C A

C O N F E R E N C E S WONCA CONFERENCES

WONCA 2023 IN SYDNEY WILL BE THE CONFERENCE OF YOUR CAREER PROFESSOR MARK MORGAN CONFERENCE SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE CHAIR

After 50 years of coming together as the World Organization of Family Doctors and after 2 years of being locked in by COVID-19, WONCA 2023 in Sydney will be special.

My vision for the conference is that each participant will come away changed. I would like us all to feel a sense of excitement about the future and feel a part of a global community with both unique and shared experiences. One of the problems with being family doctors spread across communities is the risk of isolation.

We spend much of the day seeing patients from our community working solo or in small teams.

WONCA 2023 will be a chance to come together, and the program will ensure opportunities to meet and talk. There is so much to learn from just having a conversation.

The world is just waking up to the importance of primary care research. How primary care is organised, funded, chosen, delivered and improved makes a profound difference in the lives of our populations.

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WONCA NEWS

W O N C A

C O N F E R E N C E S WONCA CONFERENCES

There are new tools that can help us make sense of the complexity of primary care with the analysis of routinely collected data at scale. There is also an ever-greater awareness of the need to consider our patients as people with multiple interacting biopsychosocial and environmental needs. I am excited to learn more about the research being done all over the world to shape the future of primary care.

The program my committee is assembling will bring together some of the deepest thinking and influential keynote presenters who will provide insights and connections. Keep an eye on the presenter page on the conference website to find out more.

As Conference Scientific Committee chair, I welcome you to submit a presentation for WONCA 2023. The program we have designed allows for a wide variety of ways to share your knowledge and expertise.

Posters will be presented in electronic format, often a single PowerPoint slide.

Rapid Impact sessions encourage presenters to distil their key messages and findings into just 3 minutes followed by some question time. They are a great way to trigger conversations and collaborations.

Longer sessions will vary from 15 minutes to 90 minutes. The committee encourages innovation in some of our longer presentation types whether the intent is to educate, share, discuss, challenge, or inform. For example, a Professional Forum presentation might include debating or narration with poetry.

A full list of presentation styles can be found on the call for submissions page on the conference website. Learning new skills and improving existing skills are some of the joys in the life of professionals. Medicine is changing at an everincreasing rate, so it is a fundamental necessity for all of us to continuously learn. The program will be packed with opportunities to join interactive educational sessions.

WONCA 2023 is less than a year away. I am looking forward to working with my committee to make it the most exciting and transformative conference in your career.

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YOU ASKED,

PROGRAM SUBMISSIONS DEADLINE

EXTENDED

WONCA NEWS

W O N C A

C O N F E R E N C E S WONCA CONFERENCES

YOU ASKED. WE LISTENED

WONCA SYDNEY EXTENDS PROGRAM SUBMISSIONS DEADLINE

The WONCA community has spoken. With the end of year just around the corner, the upcoming end of year celebrations, we have revised our close date to now be in the new year. We hope this will assist you in preparing and submitting your program submission for the WONCA 2023 World Conference

PREPARE Review the presentation styles and submission guidelines before preparing your submission.

ASSEMBLE Prepare your submission following the submission guidelines, using either the clinical/educational OR// research guide.

WONCA.RACGP.ORG.AU/WONCA-2023 31

APPLY TO PRESENT Only submissions completed in the WONCA 2023 submission portal by 11.59 pm Australian Eastern Daylight Time (AEDT), 9 February 2023 will be reviewed and considered for inclusion into the program.

Emailed and incomplete submissions will not be reviewed.

WONCA NEWS

W O N C A

C O N F E R E N C E S

7TH WONCA AFRICA REGION CONFERENCE 2022

WONCA CONFERENCES

ABUJA, NIGERIA | 24 - 26 NOVEMBER 2022

WELCOME MESSAGE My dear Friends and Colleagues, I am Dr Dan Abubakar, the WONCA Africa Region President and the Chairman of the Host Organising Committee for the 7th WONCA Africa Region conference taking place in Abuja, Nigeria from 24th to 26th November 2022 at the NAF Conference Centre. The conference is tagged “WONCA Abuja 2022” I welcome you all to the event which promises to be very exciting and afford us the opportunity to meet physically, network, discuss and implement positive changes. It will be the second time Nigeria is hosting this event, the first was held here in Abuja 21 years ago. The conference will be [HYBRID] both physical and virtual and will afford colleagues who are unable to travel to Nigeria, the opportunity to fully participate in the event.

The theme of the conference is: Africa’s Health Systems and Preparedness for Global Health Emergencies.

The Sub-themes of the Conference are: 1. Psychosocial and economic burden of global health emergencies: The African perspective.

2. Challenges to providing effective frontline healthcare in Africa.

3. Ensuring health personnel safety during epidemics and pandemics.

4. Sustaining health professionals’ mentorship and education during epidemics and pandemics.

The topics were painstakingly selected to reflect and address the present day healthcare challenges facing African family physicians.

Abuja is defined by Aso Rock, a 400 metre monolith left by water erosion. The Presidential Complex, National Assembly, Supreme Court and much of the city extend to the south of the rock.

Zuma Rock, a 792 metre monolith, lies just north of the city.

We look forward to welcoming you and hundreds of family doctors from around the world to the conference 24-26 NOV 2022. We promise to make the event exciting, interesting and educationally rewarding.

I invite you all to register for the conference and join us in Abuja in November 2022. Abuja is the administrative and political capital of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, a serene city with modern facilities for learning and a city known for culture and hospitality. A city with many monuments, historical sites and attractions.

DR DAN ABUBAKAR Chairman, LOC woncaafricaregion@gmail.com

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WONCA NEWS

W O N C A

C O N F E R E N C E S

WONCA ASIA PACIFIC REGIONAL CONFERENCE

WONCA CONFERENCES

BALI, INDONESIA | 5 - 7 DECEMBER

WELCOME MESSAGE Dear Friends and Colleagues, I am Isti Ilmiati Fujiati, on behalf of the Host Organizing Chair would like to extend to you a warm invitation for The Wonca Asia Pacific Regional Conference coming up in Bali, the Island of Gods, in 5-7 December 2022.

The Wonca Asia Pacific Regional Conference this time will be the first face to face international conference held after the two years period of Covid-19 pandemic. It will be a great opportunities to share our experiences in family medicine and primary care which play important roles in most parts of the world during the pandemic. This conference will give us all chances to meet, discuss and implement positive change under the theme primary health care transformation, challenges and opportunities for family medicine. Knowing Bali as one of awesome destination with numerous beautiful beaches and sites will be an additional pleasure to all participants. In addition, the hospitality of Balinese is also a hallmark and can make us feel at home.

sessions, symposiums, oral and poster presentations. We will have as well credible speakers from well-known institutes. We are really proud to host and present this incredible event. We sincerely hope that the event will be beneficial for all of us and we surely are looking forward to see you all in Bali.

Isti Ilmiati Fujiati Chair of Wonca Asia Pacific Regional Conference

The Wonca Asia Pacific Regional Conference will consist of pre-conference, workshops, plenary

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WONCA NEWS

W O N C A

C O N F E R E N C E S

28TH WONCA EUROPE CONFERENCE

WONCA CONFERENCES

7 - 10 JUN 2023, BRUSSELS, BELGIUM

We are happy to introduce to you the members of the Scientific and Organising Committees. Find the complete list here.

The 28th WONCA Europe conference will be held in Brussels, Belgium, from June 7th to 10th 2023.

The theme will be “Making Choices in Primary Care”. The abstract submission deadline is January 10th 2023.

Registration is open! Do not hesitate and take the chance to get an early bird price and save.

Please contribute with your participation and register HERE. Still, hesitating about submitting an abstract?

We encourage you to contribute with your knowledge. Follow the guidelines for abstract submission

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A N N O U N C E M E N T S &

U P D A T E S

WONCA NEWS ANNOUNCEMENTS & UPDATES

WONCA YDM- WP/SIG COLLABORATIVE WEBINAR SERIES SECOND SESSION IS COMING SOON! Join the webinar “Fall in Older Persons”, organised by the Rajakumar Movement in collaboration with the WONCA SIG on Ageing & Health. Sunday, 20th November, 7: 00 AM UTC

Did you miss the webinar “The Young Family Doctor and Environmental Challenges”? The session, organised by Movimiento Waynakay in collaboration with the Working Party on the Environment, is now available online.

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A N N O U N C E M E N T S &

U P D A T E S

WONCA NEWS ANNOUNCEMENTS & UPDATES

UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO DEPARTMENT OF FAMILY AND COMMUNITY MEDICINE

VIRTUAL TORONTO INTERNATIONAL PROGRAM TO STRENGTHEN FAMILY MEDICINE AND PRIMARY CARE (V-TIPS) PROGRAM DESCRIPTION The virtual edition of the Toronto International Program to Strengthen Family Medicine and Primary Care (V-TIPS) is informed by nearly a decade of engagement with international family medicine leaders and champions through our yearly in-person TIPs-FM program. The virtual program provides an overview of how to leverage excellence in education, research, clinical services and leadership to deliver high quality family medicine globally, by sharing experience and building on lessons learned at the DFCM, in Canada and around the world.

Taught by faculty leaders from the Department of Family and Community Medicine (DFCM) and international guest faculty, this year's program will run from March 29 - June 14, 2023.

V-TIPS is delivered over 12 weeks through asynchronous and synchronous sessions with a focus on collaborative learning. The program includes weekly readings, pre-recorded videos, and a weekly 90-minute session delivered live on Zoom on Wednesdays at 7am EST. Where indicated, weekly synchronous sessions are recorded for future reference. In addition, biweekly drop-in sessions will be offere

PROGRAM GOAL This program will enable participants to strengthen family medicine (FM) and comprehensive primary care (CPC) in their own setting through state-of-the-art education, evidence-informed high-quality care and transformative leadership.

AUDIENCE V-TIPS is a program for current and emerging leaders in the areas of health services delivery, policy and academia interested in strengthening family medicine and comprehensive primary care as a core element of health systems.

FIND MORE INFORMATION AND REGISTER NOW!

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A N N O U N C E M E N T S &

WONCA NEWS

U P D A T E S

ANNOUNCEMENTS & UPDATES

LSHTM WEBINAR SERIERS: PRIMARY HEALTH CARE: THE HEART OF EVERY HEALTH SYSTEM The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) invites you to a ten-part seminar series that will run from October 2022 to July 2023.

The series provides an overview of the key features and functions of PHC, the potential of PHC in all health systems and its role in achieving universal health coverage. Sessions draw on examples across different settings.

For more details and joining instructions follow links" with "For more details, joining instructions and recordings of previous events follow links: 12.45 – 13.45, Wed 5 Oct 2022: Panel Discussion. Primary Health Care: The heart of every health system?

12.45 – 13.45, Wed 2 Nov 2022, What is Primary Health Care?

12.45 – 13.45, Wed 7 Dec 2020, Achieving Primary Health Care through Multisectoral Action and Policy 12.45 – 13.45, Wed Jan 2023, Empowering People and Communities Feb 2023, Integrating Primary Care and Public Health Mar 2023, Financing Primary Care Apr 2023, Getting the Primary Care Workforce right May 2023, Holding it together: Primary Care Infrastructure Jun 2023, Measuring, regulating, and improving Primary Care Jul 23, Panel Discussion: Primary Health Care at the heart of every health system - an achievable dream?

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