Family Medicine (General Medicine): What academic and professional specificities?

ABSTRACT

Family Medicine, a true scientific and academic discipline, has been defined by the World Organization of National Colleges, Academies and academic associations of general practitioners / family physicians (WONCA) since 2002, as being a "clinical specialty oriented towards primary care". This paper details the specificities of Family Medicine a horizontal specialty, primary care, providing comprehensive and continuous care, patient-centered and community-oriented. The promotion of Family Medicine in the Maghreb countries requires a multi-axial strategy based on the social marketing of Family Medicine, the recognition of Family Medicine as a medical specialty and of Family Medicine as a gateway to national health system, the establishment of a quality approach in basic health centers and free practice offices (centers of health centers) and regular validation of the Family Medicine diploma.