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WORLD FAMILY DOCTOR DAY 2023
from WONCA New May 2023
by WONCA
OurWPfocusesonthehealthofwomenand theirparticularspectrumofrisksandneeds; and also on how to maximise the important contribution of women family doctors worldwide What this means for all of us as family doctors is – for patients, to recognise and design our services to ensure that womencanaccesspreventivescreeningand fertility related services, including maternal and child health, as well as other services, withoutculturalorfinancialbarriers.
We also need to highlight that, in many places, understanding the biopsychosocial needs of our female patients will often include recognising their role in caring for others. Caring for dependants or for sick friends and family often adds additional practicalandemotionalchallengesforthose who shoulder this burden; and, while social change may mean that this ‘work’ does not fall solely to women, this remains the culturalnormacrossmostoftheworld.
And for colleagues – our work as family doctors is very demanding, and we all need collegial support. Our WP has seen two commonstressorsthatcanimpactusall,but areoftencitedbyfemalecolleagues:one,as above, is that they are more likely to be juggling the complexities of caring for their partners and families as well as sustaining theirprofessionalactivities Andtheotheris thattheymaystillfacecareerbarrierssolely becauseoftheirgender–lowerincomes,less flexible work conditions, and fewer career opportunities So on WFDD 2023, we ask us alltohavealearningconversationwithyour colleaguesabout
1) How well you think your clinic is doing in meeting its female patients’ particular health needs? - and take any agreed priorities forwardtoenhanceyourcareevenfurther
2) How you are all managing the interface of work with your own personal lives? Please encourage people in a safe confidential way to raise any issues that might help them to reduce stress because of difficulties balancinghomeandwork
Thanksagaintoyouall–andpleasekeepin touchwiththeWWPWFMactivities–wewant tohelp!
Chair:WWPWFM
Past Chair:WWPWFM
WONCA SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP ON POLICY ADVOCACY
