Tackling climate change and health inequalities in primary care.

The Climate Emergency is now widely accepted as the biggest public health crisis facing humanity. Previous research has highlighted how social and health inequalities shape the health impacts of climate change in the UK, but there has been little attention to the role of general practice in deprived areas. This Brief Report summarises a roundtable discussion of Scottish 'Deep End' GPs - family doctors working in the most socio-economically deprived areas - which took place weeks before the 26th UN Climate Change Conference (COP26), held in Glasgow in November 2021. The report highlights the need for urgent action to make general practice more sustainable, including recommendations for community engagement, (de)prescribing, medical education, digital inclusion, and investment in premises and capacity building.

Comprehensive catalogue of international measures aimed at preventing general practitioner shortages.

BACKGROUND: Many countries are facing a shortage and misallocation of general practitioners (GPs). The development of a policy response may benefit from the knowledge of worldwide policies that have been adopted and recommended to counteract such a development. AIM: To identify measures proposed or taken internationally to prevent GP shortages. DESIGN AND SETTING: A literature review followed by an expert assessment focussed on sources from OECD countries. METHOD: The literature search identified international policy documents and literature reviews in bibliographical databases, and examined institutional websites and references of included publications. The internet search engine Google was also used. The resulting measures were then assessed for completeness by three experts. RESULTS: Ten policy documents and 32 literature reviews provided information on 102 distinct measures aimed at preventing GP shortages. The measures attempt to influence GPs at all stages of their careers. CONCLUSIONS: This catalogue of measures to prevent GP shortages is significantly more comprehensive than any of the policy documents it is based on. It may serve as a blueprint for effective reforms aimed at preventing GP shortages internationally.

This review identified 102 distinct measures to prevent a GP shortage. These measures influence GPs at all stages of their careers. These measures may serve as a blueprint for reforms to prevent GP shortages.

Corrigendum: Perceptions and experiences of community-based healthcare professionals in the state of Qatar having do not attempt resuscitation discussions during the COVID-19 pandemic.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2023.1232954.].

Impact of general practice / family medicine training on Japanese junior residents:a descriptive study.

BACKGROUND: Despite international recognition of the impact of general practice / family medicine training on postgraduate training outcomes, there have been few reports from Japan. METHODS: Junior residents who participated in community medicine training for one month between 2019 and 2022 were enrolled in the study. The settings were five medical institutions (one hospital and four clinics) that had full-time family doctors. The junior residents were assigned to one of these institutions. The training content mainly consisted of general ambulatory care, home medical care, community-based care, and reflection. The junior residents evaluated themselves at the beginning and end of their training, and the family doctors evaluated the junior residents at the end. The evaluation items were 36 items in 10 areas, based on the objectives outlined in the Guidelines for Residency Training - 2020 Edition, and were rated on a 10-point Likert scale. In the statistical analysis, Wilcoxon signed rank test of two related groups was performed to analyze changes between pre and post self-evaluation, and the effect size r was calculated. RESULTS: Ninety-one junior residents completed the study. Their self-evaluations showed statistically significant increases in all 36 items. The effect size was large in 33 items. The family doctors' evaluation was 8-9 points for all 36 items. CONCLUSION: General practice / family medicine training may greatly contribute to the acquisition of various required clinical abilities in postgraduate training even in Japan.

Perceptions and experiences of community-based healthcare professionals in the state of Qatar having do not attempt resuscitation discussions during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Introduction: The values and attitudes of healthcare professionals influence their handling of "do-not-attempt-resuscitation" (DNAR) orders, as does that of the families they interact with. The aim of this study was to describe attitudes, perceptions, and practices among community-based medical practitioners towards discussing cardiopulmonary resuscitation and DNAR orders with patients and their relatives, and to investigate if the COVID-19 pandemic affected their practice in having these discussions. Methods: This is a researcher-developed online survey-based study which aimed to recruit a convenience sample of respondents from a total population of 106 healthcare professionals working for the Mobile Healthcare Service (MHS), Hamad Medical Corporation Ambulance Service in the State of Qatar. Results: 33 family physicians, 38 nurses, and 20 paramedics (n = 91) responded to the questionnaire, of who around 40, 8, and 50%, respectively, had engaged in Do Not Attempt Resuscitation discussions during their work with MHS. 15% of physicians who had experience with Do Not Attempt Resuscitation discussions in Qatar felt that the family or patient were not open to having such discussions. 90% of paramedics thought that Do Not Attempt Resuscitation was a taboo topic for their patients in Qatar, and this view was shared by 75% of physicians and 50% of nurses. Per the responses, the COVID-19 pandemic had not affected the likelihood of most of the physicians or nurses (and 50% of the paramedics) identifying patients with whom having a Do Not Attempt Resuscitation discussion would be clinically appropriate. Discussion: Overall, for all three groups, the COVID-19 pandemic did not affect the likelihood of identifying patients with whom a Do Not Attempt Resuscitation discussion would be clinically appropriate. We found that the greatest barriers in having Do Not Attempt Resuscitation discussions were perceived to be the religious or cultural beliefs of the patient and/or their family, along with the factor of feeling the staff member did not know the patient or their family well enough. All three groups said they would be more likely to have a conversation about Do Not Attempt Resuscitation if barriers were addressed.

Nurse Standing Orders for Buprenorphine Follow-Up Care in a Community Health Center Network.

BACKGROUND: Less than 20% of individuals with opioid use disorder (OUD) are receiving a medication treatment for OUD in the United States. Though nurses can assume critical roles in outpatient models of OUD care, there are no published reports of buprenorphine standing orders for nurses that guide a nuanced response for patients returning as expected versus those re-engaging after a treatment lapse, without requiring real-time prescriber consultation. METHODS: Standing orders for buprenorphine were created with multiple stakeholders within an urban community health center that includes traditional clinics as well as non-traditional homeless care sites. After more than two years of use, an anonymous survey assessed staff perception of usability and safety of the standing orders using the validated system usability scale (SUS) and a 5-item Likert scale. Patient retention rates at 12 and 18 months were compared for sites that were early- and late-adopters of the standing orders. RESULTS: Of 24 clinicians and 7 nurses who responded to the survey, 46% had used the standing orders. More than 85% reported a perception that the standing orders improved team-based care and increased access to buprenorphine refills. None reported any safety concerns. The median SUS score was 75.0 (SD 15.4), rated as "excellent". There was no statistically significant difference in 12- or 18-month retention rates between early- and late-adopter sites of the standing orders. CONCLUSIONS: Nurse standing orders for buprenorphine follow-up and re-engagement care are feasible, usable and perceived as safe in varied community health center settings.

Learning innovation in community medicine teaching: A-Z of job responsibilities of anganwadi worker, accredited social health activist, and auxiliary nurse midwife.

The interaction between medical students and frontline healthcare workers is one of the crucial components of community medicine. The interaction of medical students with frontline healthcare workers provides multiple opportunities. Medical students like to understand their job responsibilities and their involvement in implementing the various national health programs at the community level. Innovation is required to train our medical students better and enhance their learning. A learning and teaching innovation was developed by us to provide insight into the various roles and involvement of frontline healthcare workers in the community. One innovation is the A-Z activity calendar of frontline healthcare workers in teaching and learning in medical education.

Community Health by People's Involvement: the Characteristics and Dilemma of Community Participation in Community Health Projects of the 1970-80s, Korea.

This paper aims to historically re-evaluate the issues surrounding resident participation in health care and its legacy by examining the community participation in health care. In the 1970s and 1980s, community participation was one of crucial trends and a controversial topic in the international health as well as the international aid. Throughout the 1970s, local participation was regarded as one of essential elements for the access to basic healthcare and primary health care in developing countries. Community health projects which aimed to apply primary health care were implemented in rural areas and some urban areas in the 1970s and 1980s. Village Health Workers(VHWs) were a symbolic example of community participation in these projects. They consisted of local women and led health activities with simple skills in their villages. They served as a bridge between the project team and the residents. Health professionals expected them to be health leaders for "self-help" in health of their communities. In the mid-1980s, however, as the number of health facilities and professional health care workers increased, the activities of VHSs were decreased. The mixed understanding of the responsibilities and roles of VHSs among the health professionals affected the skeptical view on the achievement and effects of community participation in health care. In the mid-1980s, as the government officially organized the VHWs, the dilemma surrounding community participation intensified. When the community health projects were ended, most of the VHW organizations were also disbanded. After the projects, the spirit of community participation was only inherited by some healthcare movement organizations, such as medical cooperatives.

Los estudiantes de Enfermería y la pesquisa durante la COVID-19

Fundamento: el estudio de las enfermedades debe integrar perspectivas e incluir variables relacionadas con los profesionales sanitarios. La aparición de nuevas enfermedades como la COVID-19 ha generado un grupo de investigaciones dirigidas a los profesionales y estudiantes inmersos en su prevención y control. Objetivo: caracterizar las actitudes de los estudiantes de Enfermería vinculados al pesquisaje activo de casos sintomáticos de COVID-19. Métodos: en la universidad médica camagüeyana se realizó un estudio descriptivo, transversal, en el período de marzo a mayo de 2021, con la combinación de metodologías cualitativas. Se aplicaron métodos teóricos para la fundamentación de la investigación y empíricos como la observación externa directa, entrevista semiestructurada y composición, a una muestra de 30 estudiantes de licenciatura en Enfermería. Resultados: las actitudes se caracterizaron por tener una dirección que no indicó rechazo abierto, pero se percibió la dificultad de abordar el tema de la posibilidad del propio contagio en el 49,30 %. Hubo un 62,10 % de inconsistencia interna en las actitudes, al constatarse una relación antagónica entre sus componentes. Conclusiones: la vinculación de los estudiantes de Enfermería a escenarios clínicos y comunitarios permitió la identificación de características en sus componentes, consistencia o funciones que implican exposición a situaciones de riesgo o limitan el desempeño; es imprescindible modificarlas en aras de garantizar las acciones de sostenibilidad y la formación profesional.

Background: the study of diseases must integrate perspectives and include variables related to health professionals. The emergence of new diseases such as COVID-19 has generated a group of research aimed at professionals and students immersed in its prevention and control. Objective: to characterize the attitudes of nursing students linked to active screening in cases of COVID-19. Methods: a descriptive, cross-sectional study was carried out at Camagüey Medical University from March to May 2021, with a combination of qualitative methodologies. Theoretical methods were applied to support the research and empirical methods, such as direct external observation, semi-structured interviews and composition, to a sample of 30 undergraduate Nursing students. Results: the attitudes were characterized by having a direction that did not indicate open rejection, but the difficulty of addressing the issue of the possibility of contagion itself was perceived in 49.30%. There was 62.10% of internal inconsistency in attitudes, as an antagonistic relationship was found among its components. Conclusions: the linking of Nursing students to clinical and community settings allowed the identification of characteristics in their components, consistency or functions that imply exposure to risk situations or limit performance; it is essential to modify them in order to guarantee sustainability actions and professional training.

Competencias profesionales del Equipo Básico de Salud en prevención de violencia intrafamiliar / Professional competencies of the Basic Health Team in the prevention of intra-family violence

Fundamento: la violencia intrafamiliar representa un problema de salud y los profesionales de estas ciencias deben reconocer su existencia y estar debidamente preparados para prevenirla. Objetivo: identificar el nivel de competencia de los equipos básicos de salud en el manejo contra la violencia intrafamiliar en la edad pediátrica desde la atención primaria de salud. Métodos: se realizó un estudio descriptivo transversal en el Policlínico Universitario "Mártires del 10 de Abril", municipio Corralillo de enero a abril de 2021. Se utilizaron métodos teóricos y empíricos; para recogida de información se empleó el análisis de documentos y examen de competencia a profesionales de salud. Las variables en estudio fueron: categoría ocupacional, años de graduado, dimensiones cognitivas, procedimentales y actitudinales; y competencias profesionales en la prevención contra la violencia intrafamiliar. Resultados: El 52,94 % de los profesionales encuestados tenía más de 5 años de graduados, hubo predominio de residentes de MGI y licenciados en enfermería, respectivamente 44,12 % y 35,29 %. Las dimensiones de competencias en prevención contra la violencia intrafamiliar fueron evaluadas de medianamente adecuadas: la cognitiva en 18 (52,94 %), la procedimental en 21 (61,76 %) y la actitudinal en 24 (70,59 %). Conclusiones: el nivel de desarrollo de competencias profesionales resultó ser medianamente adecuado, como promedio. El diagnóstico realizado evidenció la necesidad de desarrollar competencias profesionales para la prevención contra la violencia intrafamiliar en edad pediátrica.

Background: intra-family violence represents a health problem and professionals in these sciences must recognize its existence and be properly prepared to prevent it. Objective: to identify the level of competence of the basic health team in the management of intra-family violence in the pediatric age. Methods: a cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out at the "Mártires del 10 de Abril" University Polyclinic, Corralillo municipality from January to April 2021. Theoretical and empirical methods were used; For the collection of information, the analysis of documents and the examination of the competence of health professionals were used. The variables under study were: occupational category, years of graduation, cognitive, procedural and attitudinal dimensions; and professional skills in the prevention of intra-family violence. Results: 52.94% of the surveyed professionals had more than 5 years working experience, there was a predominance of comprehensive General Medicine residents and nursing graduates, respectively 44.12% and 35.29%. The dimensions of competencies in intra-family violence prevention were evaluated as moderately adequate: cognitive in 18 (52.94%), procedural in 21 (61.76%), and attitudinal in 24 (70.59%). Conclusions: the level of development of professional skills turned out to be moderately adequate, on average. The diagnosis made showed the need to develop professional skills for the prevention of intra-family violence in children.

Ambiente escolar: una necesidad de aprendizaje por el médico de familia / School environment: a learning need for the family doctor

El Ministerio de Salud Pública cubano tiene orientada la realización de los controles médicos a los estudiantes y trabajadores que en su centro no cuentan con equipo básico de salud, en el consultorio médico de la comunidad. En el presente artículo los autores se proponen compartir con la comunidad científica los basamentos teóricos concernientes al proceso de superación, el cual responde a las necesidades de aprendizaje y constituye una vía primordial para que, gradualmente, los médicos de familia coadyuven a la solución de las insuficiencias académicas en determinados temas relacionados con el ambiente escolar y favorezcan el bienestar social desde su desempeño profesional y humano.

The Cuban Ministry of Public Health is oriented to carry out medical controls for students and workers who do not have basic health equipment in their center, in the community doctor's office. In this article the authors intend to share with the scientific community the theoretical foundations concerning the improvement process, which responds to the learning needs and constitutes a primary way for Gps to gradually contribute to the solution of the academic insufficiencies in certain topics related to the school environment and favor social well-being from their professional and human performance.

Superación del médico general para la atención integral a niños con necesidades educativas especiales / Knowledge improvement of the general practitioner for comprehensive care for children with special educational needs

Fundamento: la superación especializada del médico general integral debe de estar encaminada a elevar su nivel profesional en la atención primaria de salud, particularizando en las características individuales de cada paciente. Objetivo: diagnosticar el estado actual de preparación de los médicos generales de la atención primaria de salud en cuanto al conocimiento para brindar atención integral y especializada a los niños con necesidades educativas especiales, pertenecientes al Policlínico Universitario "Ignacio Agramonte", de Camagüey. Métodos: se realizó un estudio descriptivo transversal entre los meses septiembre-diciembre de 2021. Se aplicaron métodos teóricos: histórico-lógico, análisis-síntesis e inducción-deducción; y empíricos, revisión documental y cuestionario a los médicos que laboran en los consultorios médicos del área. Resultados: el diagnóstico realizado permitió identificar falencias en la formación profesional del médico general desde su programa de formación en la especialidad Medicina General Integral, las que dificultan el trabajo exitoso en cuanto a la atención integral a niños con necesidades especiales, en aras de promover su inclusión social y el beneficio de su desarrollo individual. Conclusiones: las deficiencias encontradas ratifican la necesidad de implementar una estrategia de superación en cuanto al tema para perfeccionar el distintivo trabajo comunitario del médico general integral.

Background: the specialized improvement of the comprehensive general practitioner must be aimed at raising their professional level in primary health care, particularizing the individual characteristics of each patient. Objective: to diagnose the current state of preparation of general practitioners in primary health care in terms of knowledge to provide comprehensive and specialized care to children with special educational needs, belonging to the "Ignacio Agramonte" University Polyclinic in Camagüey. Methods: a cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out between from September to December 2021. Theoretical methods were applied: historical-logical, analysis-synthesis and induction-deduction; and empirical ones, documentary review and questionnaire to the doctors who work in the doctor´s offices of the area. Results: the diagnosis made possible to identify shortcomings in the professional training of the general practitioner from his training program in the Comprehensive General Medicine specialty, which hinder successful work in terms of comprehensive care for children with special needs, in order to promote their social inclusion and the benefit of their individual development. Conclusions: the deficiencies found ratify the need to implement an improvement strategy regarding the subject to improve the distinctive community work of the comprehensive general practitioner.

Dr. Serafín Ruiz de Zárate Ruiz: aportes al ideal médico social desde su gestión ministerial / MD. Serafín Ruiz de Zárate Ruiz: contributions to the social medical ideal from his ministerial management

Fundamento: los años 1959 y 1960 fueron decisivos en las proyecciones y concreción del ideal médico social, como proceso iniciado, a establecerse en Cuba. Objetivo: identificar los aportes más relevantes del Dr. Serafín Ruiz de Zárate Ruiz, en su gestión como ministro de salud pública a la conformación del ideal médico social cubano en la década del sesenta del siglo XX. Métodos: se realizó una investigación documental de corte histórico en el año 2022. Se aplicaron métodos teóricos que permitieron analizar el objetivo de estudio, basado en la interacción de lo histórico y lo lógico y desde las dimensiones temporal y espacial; y empíricos: análisis de contenido y la consulta bibliográfica para procesar en conjunto el producto resultante, se empleó la triangulación para mejorar la validez y confiabilidad de los datos obtenidos. Resultados: la designación y actuación del Dr. Ruiz de Zárate frente al Ministerio de Salud Pública sentó las bases y logró avanzar, bajo una aguda lucha de clases, en el camino de modificar las condiciones higiénico-sanitarias de la población, posible solo por los cambios de concepciones médicas de lo asistencial curativo a lo social. Conclusiones: el Dr. Ruiz de Zárate en su gestión como ministro hizo relevantes aportes a la conformación del ideal médico social. Diversas y amplias fueron las acciones encaminadas para materializarlo, expresadas concretamente en políticas, leyes, planes, medidas, entre otras, que fueron superadas y fortalecidas con el mismo objetivo por el Dr. José Ramón Machado Ventura.

Background: the years 1959 and 1960 were decisive in the projections and concretion of the social medical ideal, as an initiated process, to be established in Cuba. Objective: to identify the most relevant contributions of MD. Serafín Ruiz de Zárate Ruiz, as Minister of Public Health, to the conformation of the Cuban social medical ideal in the sixties of the 20th century. Methods: a historical documentary research was carried out in the year 2022. Theoretical methods were applied that allowed us to analyze the objective of the study, based on the interaction of the historical and the logical and from the temporal and spatial dimensions; and empirical ones: content analysis and bibliographic consultation to jointly process the resulting product, sources contrasting was used to improve the validity and reliability of the data obtained. Results: the appointment and action of MD. Ruiz de Zárate in front of the Ministry of Public Health laid the foundations and managed to advance, under an acute class struggle, in the path of modifying the hygienic-sanitary conditions of the population, possible only because of the Changes in medical conceptions from curative care to social. Conclusions: MD. Ruiz de Zárate as minister of public health made relevant contributions to the conformation of the social medical ideal. Diverse and extensive were the actions aimed at materializing it, specifically expressed in policies, laws, plans, measures, among others, which were overcome and strengthened with the same objective by MD. José Ramón Machado Ventura.

Programa Médicos pelo Brasil: primeiros resultados / Doctors for Brazil Program: first results

Resumo O acesso ao cuidado médico é essencial para o alcance da atenção primária à saúde (APS) de qualidade. No Brasil, ainda persistem dificuldades de acesso. O Programa Médicos pelo Brasil (PMpB) pretende ampliar a oferta de serviços médicos em locais de difícil provimento ou alta vulnerabilidade. Traz como inovações a priorização das menores e mais isoladas cidades; a seleção de profissionais por processo isonômico; a formação em medicina de família e comunidade; e o fato de ser a primeira carreira médica federal na APS, com salários competitivos, progressão e incentivos financeiros que valorizam a longitudinalidade e o desempenho. O PMpB é executado pela Agência para o Desenvolvimento da Atenção Primária à Saúde (Adaps), o que permite mais eficiência na gestão da política pública. Os primeiros nove meses do programa mostram resultados promissores, com aproximadamente 23 mil médicos interessados em ingressar no programa por meio de seu processo seletivo, 97,1% de ocupação das vagas e 95,4% de permanência após o ingresso. Tais resultados sinalizam o avanço de qualidade do PMpB em relação às políticas anteriores, bem como a necessidade de continuar com sua implementação, a fim de que ela atinja todo o seu potencial de cobertura na APS do SUS.

Abstract Access to medical care is essential to achieve quality primary health care (PHC). In Brazil, access difficulties still persist. The Doctors for Brazil Program (PMpB in Portuguese) aims to expand the offer of medical services in places of difficult provision or high vulnerability. It innovates insofar as it prioritizes smaller and rather isolated cities, by selecting professionals through an isonomic process, offering them training in Family and Community Medicine and a chance to build their first federal medical career in PHC. The program offers competitive salaries, progression and financial incentives that value long-term commitment and performance. The PMpB is rolled out by the Agency for the Development of Primary Health Care (Adaps), which allows better management of public policies. The first nine months of the program showed promising results, as approximately 23,000 candidates seeking to join the program through its selection process, i.e., 97.1% vacancies were filled and retention rate after admittance was 95.4%. These results show to what extent PMpB has improved in quality compared to previous policies, as well as how essential it is to keep implementing the program so that it may reach its full PHC coverage potential within the Brazilian public health system.

Programa educativo sobre cáncer de mama para mujeres del Consultorio Médico 028-2. Manicaragua / Educational program on breast cancer for women of the Doctor´s Office 028-2. Manicaragua, Cuba

Fundamento: el cáncer de mama representa un problema sanitario mundial por su alta incidencia; en la actualidad este es el de tipo de cáncer más frecuente en las mujeres. Objetivo: desarrollar un programa educativo sobre el cáncer de mama dirigido a las mujeres del Consultorio Médico 028-2, del Policlínico Docente "50 Aniversario", en Manicaragua. Métodos: se desarrolló un estudio prexperimental de intervención educativa evaluado por especialistas, en el Consultorio Médico 028-2, del Policlínico Docente "50 Aniversario" del municipio Manicaragua, entre enero 2021-enero 2022. Se utilizaron métodos teóricos: análisis-síntesis, inductivo-deductivo e histórico-lógico; empírico: análisis documental, encuesta y matemático-estadísticos para el análisis de los datos investigados. Resultados: predominaron las edades de 45 a 54 años, la mayoría no tenían antecedentes patológicos personales y sus conocimientos sobre cómo prevenir la enfermedad eran insuficientes, por lo que se diseñó un programa educativo, el cual fue valorado por criterios de especialistas. Conclusiones: después de ser valorado como adecuado, fue aplicado con muy buenos resultados entre las féminas; este programa se alerta sobre la necesidad de intensificar la labor educativa del médico y demás personal involucrado en la atención a las mujeres para que desarrollen conciencia sobre la importancia de la detección temprana de esta neoplasia.

Background: breast cancer represents a global health problem due to its high incidence; at present this is the most frequent type of cancer in women. Objective: to develop an educational program on breast cancer aimed at the women of the Doctor´Office 028-2, of the "50th Anniversary" Teaching Polyclinic, in Manicaragua. Methods: a pre-experimental study of educational intervention was developed, evaluated by specialists, in the Medical Office 028-2, of the "50 Aniversario" Teaching Polyclinic of the Manicaragua municipality, from January 2021 to January 2022. Theoretical methods were used: analysis-synthesis, inductive -deductive and historical-logical; Empirical ones: documentary, survey and mathematical-statistical for the analysis of the investigated data. Results: the ages of 45 to 54 years predominated, the majority had no past medical history and their knowledge on how to prevent the disease was insufficient, for which an educational program was designed, which was assessed by specialist criteria. Conclusions: after being evaluated as adequate, it was applied with very good results among the females; the need to intensify the educational work of the physician and other personnel involved in caring for women is alerted so that they develop awareness of the importance of early detection of this neoplasm.

Need of Department of General Practice / Family Medicine at AIIMS (All India Institute of Medical Sciences): Why the apex medical institute in India should also contribute towards training and education of general practitioners and family physicians.

Family medicine or general practice is the practicing discipline of the majority doctors in India, however formal academic departments of general practice (or family medicine) do not exist in India, as it is not a mandatory requirement as prescribed by the Medical Council of India; the principal regulator of medical education. Currently India has capacity to produce more than 60,000 medical graduates per year, majority of whom are expected to become general practitoners or primary care doctors without under going any vocational training in general practice or family medicine. The 92nd parliamentary standing committee report (on health and family welfare) of the Indian Parliament recommended that Government of India in coordination with State Governments should establish robust postgraduate programs in Family Medicine and facilitate introducing Family Medicine discipline in all medical colleges. This will not only minimize the need for frequent referrals to specialist and decrease the load on tertiary care but also provide continuous health care for the individuals and families. The authors concur with the parliament of India and strongly feel that "Family Medicine" (community-based comprehensive clinical practice) deserves dedicated and distinct department at all medical colleges in India in order to availability of qualified medical doctors in the community-based health system. AIIMS, New Delhi, along with other newly established AIIMS, should rise to their foundation mandate of supporting excellence in all disciplines of medical science and to this historic responsibility; and not just remain an ivory tower of tertiary care based fragmented (into sub specialties) hospital culture.

Estágio de internato médico em medicina da família e comunidade no programa mais médicos: relato de experiência / Internship in family and community medicine within the more doctors program: experience report / Internado en medicina familiar y comunitaria dentro del programa más médicos: relato de experiencia

Um dos objetivos do Programa Mais Médicos (PMM) é proporcionar o provimento de médicos para o atendimento da população usuária do Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS) por meio do aumento da quantidade de vagas para a graduação em medicina, associado ao aumento da carga horária do graduando e atividades relacionadas ao ensino na comunidade. Este trabalho tem por objetivo descrever a experiência de estágio de estudantes de medicina nas unidades de saúde que atuam com estratégia de saúde da família (ESF) nas quais atuam médicos do PMM. Foram avaliados dados qualitativos referentes a aspectos objetivos e subjetivos envolvendo dimensões didáticas, cognitivas, comportamentais e assistenciais vivenciadas na relação estudante-médico-comunidade. Os estagiários não apresentaram dificuldade significativa quanto à adaptação ao modelo assistencial do PMM, relacionando-se de maneira harmoniosa com a equipe da unidade e com a comunidade atendida, alcançando, assim, os objetivos didáticos e formativos esperados. Nossa experiência do estágio de internato médico dentro do Programa Mais Médicos tem se mostrado exitosa.

One main objective of the More Doctors Program (PMM) is to supply physicians to serve the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS) user population by increasing the number of vacancies for medical courses, associated with an increased course load and activities in the community. Given this context, this experience report focuses on internships developed in Family Health Strategy (ESF) units, served by PMM physicians. Data on objective and subjective aspects involving didactic, cognitive, behavioral and care dimensions experienced in the student ­ doctor ­ community relationship were qualitatively evaluated. The interns presented no significant difficulties in adapting to the PMM care model, establishing a harmonious relationship with the unit's team and the community served, thus achieving the expected didactic and training objectives. In conclusion, the medical internship within the More Doctors Program has been successful.

Uno de los objetivos del Programa Más Médicos (PMM) es proporcionar la provisión de médicos para la atención de la población usuaria del Sistema Único de Salud (SUS) mediante el aumento del número de vacantes para cursos de graduación en medicina, asociado al aumento de la carga de trabajo del estudiante en actividades relacionadas a la enseñanza en la comunidad. Este estudio tiene como objetivo describir la experiencia de la pasantía de estudiantes de medicina en una unidad de salud que actúan con estrategia de salud familiar (ESF), atendida por un médico del PMM. Los datos fueron evaluados cualitativamente, referidos a aspectos objetivos y subjetivos que involucran dimensiones didácticas, cognitivas, conductuales y asistenciales vivenciadas en la relación estudiante-médico-comunidad. Los internos no tuvieron dificultades significativas para adaptarse al modelo de atención del PMM, presentando una relación armoniosa con el equipo de la unidad y con la comunidad atendida, y logrando los objetivos didácticos y formativos esperados. Nuestra experiencia de la pasantía en el internado médico dentro del programa más médicos ha sido exitosa.

Working as a family physician in Canada and Portugal: How different is it?

BACKGROUND: The work of a family physician is quite different in each country, and if we consider different continents, differences are even more remarkable. Social and cultural contexts justify a particular organization, not only of the health-care system but also its providers as well. OBJECTIVES: By analyzing different health-care systems, new ideas may come about which may trigger positive changes in a health-care service to diminish healthcare disparities. METHODS: Description and comparison of the Primary Healthcare Service in Canada and Portugal. RESULTS: Although both health-care systems are mainly public, organizational differences can be found that condition primary healthcare access. CONCLUSION: Exchanges in other health-care systems contribute for an active knowledge exchange that prompts participants to analyze options on how to improve healthcare access to citizens. This ultimately, leads to the development of primary care, the pillar of a well-functioning health-care system.

El ejercicio médico en el siglo XXI. Retos y rescate del método clínico / Medical practice in the twenty-first century. Challenges and rescue of the clinical method

Resumen El método clínico, desde su creación en la Grecia antigua, no ha tenido mayores cambios en sus componentes y aplicación. Sin embargo, desde hace un tiempo se ha venido vulnerando debido al gran impacto que ha tenido la tecnología en las ciencias de la salud, y los nuevos paradigmas impuestos a la práctica clínica y la educación médica. El presente artículo describe los datos históricos más relevantes del método clínico, sus componentes científicos y su aplicación en la medicina, se resalta su importancia en todos los aspectos médicos, y se plasma una reflexión acerca de las causas de esta crisis y cómo involucra al profesional de medicina general en Colombia. (Acta Med Colomb 2021; 46. DOI: https://doi.org/10.36104/amc.2021.1997).

Abstract Since its inception in ancient Greece, the clinical method has experienced no major changes in its components and application. However, for some time now, it has been infringed upon by the high impact of technology on the healthcare sciences, and the new paradigms imposed on clinical practice and medical education. This article describes the most relevant historical data on the clinical method, its scientific components and its application in medicine, highlighting its importance in all medical aspects; and provides some thoughts on the reasons for this crisis and how it involves general medical practitioners in Colombia. (Acta Med Colomb 2021; 46. DOI: https://doi.org/10.36104/amc.2021.1997).

La Medicina Familiar y Comunitaria en Uruguay de 1997 a 2019: ¿cuántos kilómetros faltarán para llegar al pueblo aquel? / Family and Community Medicine in Uruguay from 1997 to 2019: how many kilometers will it take to reach that town?

Resumen La residencia de medicina familiar y comunitaria comenzó en Uruguay en el año 1997. A través de un proceso autogestionado, las primeras generaciones se moldearon en una formación que integraba en ellos el conocimiento y la experiencia hospitalarios junto con la praxis territorial en un servicio de salud de base comunitaria con población de referencia. El reconocimiento académico de la especialidad y la instalación de los ámbitos institucionales para su gestión fueron conquistas paralelas a ese proceso en la primera década. La segunda década estuvo marcada por la expansión territorial de la estructura docente-asistencial, la descentralización de la universidad y la participación activa de la medicina familiar y comunitaria en la reforma de la salud y la agenda de derechos. La tercera década de la especialidad se presenta en su inicio como crisis dada por la caída sostenida en la aspiración a la residencia. Desde una aproximación inicial a las explicaciones, se reflexiona sobre la posibilidad de estar frente a una crisis más profunda y la necesidad de encontrar las claves de una medicina del siglo XXI que permita alcanzar los principios de Alma Ata, siempre vigentes.

Abstract The Family and Community Medicine Residency started in Uruguay in 1997. Through a self-managed process, the first generations were molded into training that integrated hospital knowledge and experience with territorial praxis in a community-based health service with a population of reference. The academic recognition of the specialty and the installation of the institutional areas for its management were achievements parallel to that process in the first decade. The second decade was marked by the territorial teaching-assistance expansion in the country, university decentralization and the active participation of Family and Community Medicine in the Health Reform, and the country's rights agenda. The third decade of the specialty begins with a crisis triggered by the sustained decline in the aspiration for residency. An initial approach to explanations reflects on the possibility of facing a more profound crisis and the need to find the keys to a 21st century Medicine that allows us to achieve the principles of Alma-Ata that are still current.