WHO and its transformation - A journey from 1978 to 2024.

The Alma-Ata Declaration of 1978 was a historic hallmark in the history of public health of the 20th century. It stressed on comprehensive primary health care and led to the slogan of "Health for All by 2000 A.D." The Conference documents made it clear that primary health care was essential health care based on practical, scientifically sound, and socially acceptable methods and technology made universally accessible to individuals and families in the community through their full participation and at a cost that the community and country could afford to maintain at every stage of their development in the spirit of self-reliance and self-determination. It was proclaimed to form an integral part of a country's health system. In addition, as a consequence, the overall social and economic development of the community depended on its survival. It was regarded as the first level of contact of individuals, the family, and community with the national health system bringing health care as close as possible to where people live and work. Instead of disease-centred vertical programs, it emphasised to adopt the horizontal community-based programs. Though the worldwide stir caused by the historic Alma-Ata Conference (1978), giant MNCs of the world remained hibernated for some time but never gave up to turn "health" into "health care" as commodity. Intriguingly enough, health was "forgotten" when the Covenant of the League of Nations was drafted after the First World War. Only at the last moment, world health was included, leading to the Health Section of the League of Nations. Recently, Intergovernmental Negotiating Body has drafted a new Pandemic Treaty which might become disastrous for general well-being and rightful living for citizens in future. All these observations are very much relevant if family medicine and primary care are given due importance at the present moment.

Cognitive facet and paradigm of the caregivers of children with developmental problems in Eastern India.

Background: The role of caregivers in grooming the neuro-developmental outcome of high-risk newborns and developmental challenges in children needs to be explored. Objectives: To find the knowledge and perception among parents regarding the neuro-developmental outcome of high-risk newborns, methods adopted to address these problems, and to identify areas on which awareness generation needs to focus. Materials and Methods: A questionnaire-based awareness survey was conducted to understand the knowledge, attitude, and practices of families of children with developmental challenges. Results: The study revealed that more than 70 percent of families lack information about child development, developmental challenges, and means to deal with them. They are unaware of the available health care services and other resources. One in three families has misconceptions on developmental disabilities; consider them as curse or jinx and consequently neglected. Female children with developmental problems are further ostracized due to gender inequity in families. About 10 percent of families have shown great openness toward acquiring new skills and knowledge for handling their children with developmental delays. Conclusions: This study is based on the précis research findings of our grass-root level fieldwork conducted in remote rural Bengal areas. The observation will be of interest and learning materials for general primary care practitioners, family physicians, and stakeholders to initiate appropriate intervention strategies for properly rehabilitating children with developmental delay at grass-root levels of primary health care.

Professionalism among family medicine residents at King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia: A cross-sectional study.

Background: The Saudi Commission for Health Specialties (SCHS) recently proposed the Saudi Meds Family Medicine (FM) 2020 program, which is based on CanMEDS-FM 2017 and includes a number of competencies. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the professionalism of FM residents who follow the modified curriculum of the SCHS. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted between June and August 2023 at King Abdulaziz University Hospital in Jeddah among FM residents from year 1 to year 3 and postgraduates from the FM residency program of both genders. For data collection, a structured self-administered web-based questionnaire adapted from CanMEDS was used. Results: A total of 45 FM residents responded, with the majority (73.3%) between the ages of 20 and 30 (77.8%), and 62.2% females. In terms of patient professionalism, 93.3% frequently/always demonstrated appropriate professional behavior and relationships in all aspects of practice; 62.2% frequently/always demonstrated a commitment to excellence in all aspects of practice. In terms of professionalism and societal commitment, 80% frequently/always demonstrated accountability to patients, society, and the profession by responding to societal expectations of physicians, and 86.6% frequently/always demonstrated a commitment to patient safety and quality improvement. In terms of professional commitment, 88.9% frequently/always fulfil and adhere to professional and ethical codes, standards of practice, and laws governing practice. In terms of self-commitment, it was discovered that 86.6% frequently/always demonstrated self-awareness and managed influences on personal well-being and professional performance. The majority (80%) managed personal and professional demands for a sustainable practice throughout the physician lifecycle, and 86.7% frequently/always promoted a culture that recognizes, supports, and effectively responds to colleagues in need. Conclusion: FM residents in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, demonstrated acceptable levels of dedication to patients, society, profession, and self, indicating a high level of professionalism.

Evaluation of an online "Train the Trainers" course for family physicians in Pakistan: Expectations vs reality.

Aim: Pakistan is in dire need of trained family physicians to enhance the quality of primary health care. To build capacity, there is a need to train the trainers on a large scale through a feasible and accessible program. Therefore, for the first time, a three-month online course was designed and piloted, in collaboration with national and international family medicine faculty. The aim of this study was to determine the gap between the pre-course expectations and the post-program perceptions of the participants for* a unique family medicine "Train the Trainers" course. Methods: A longitudinal-observational study was conducted at a private college of Karachi after approval from the Institutional Review Board. The expectations and perceptions of all (31) participants were recorded through a pre- and post-course questionnaire. Data were analyzed through descriptive and analytical statistics on SPSS-26. The responses to the open-ended questions were analyzed by content analytical approach. Results: Out of 20 quantitative items on the questionnaire, four were associated with a positive gap between the expectations and perceptions. One item showed a negative gap, while the rest did not show any significant difference. The majority of the participants expressed that they expected to see an improvement in their teaching skills because of the online course. Conclusion: The online course was successful in meeting the participants' expectations. The course delivery can be revisited to further improve its quality according to the participant's feedback, including an opportunity to ask questions and incorporating some face-to-face sessions.

Perception and utilization of family medicine services among Abu Dhabi Island's community.

Background: Following the World Health Organization statement 'Health for all', family medicine is a specialty that provides continuing, comprehensive healthcare to individuals and their families. Despite that, it is still not yet utilized to its full potential by the developing Middle-Eastern community. The aim of our study is to assess the perception and utilization of family medicine services among Abu Dhabi Island's community. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted targeting Abu Dhabi Island's community. A representative sample with 95% confidence level and 5% margin of error was calculated taking into consideration the latest report by the Abu Dhabi Statistics Center. A total of 395 adult participants were included in the study, who were asked to fill in an electronic-based validated questionnaire. SPSS software was then used for data analysis. Results: Majority of participants were UAE nationals (81%) and married (71.1%), with almost equal male (50.4%) to female ratio (49.6%). Participants had positive experiences in primary healthcare (PHC) overall, regardless of their gender, nationality and marital status. Positive experience percentages dropped with higher age and educational level (P-value <0.05). A better understanding was noticed among ≥50 years of age with the rightful destination for emergency symptoms (P-value <0.05). Participants overall agreed on PHC being the preferred allocation for treatment of fever, body aches and sore throat. Conclusion: Primary healthcare centres were chosen as preferred destinations for emergency and non-emergency cases, as the vast majority had positive experiences when attending them.

Perspectives of Family Medicine Providers on Nutrition of Maternal-Infant by Group Care Visits: A Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND: Group care in child welfare and primary care settings has evolved, becoming a popular approach for maternal and infant health care. This study focuses on the perspectives of family medicine providers on group care visits for maternal and infant nutrition, a crucial aspect of primary healthcare. Hence, this study aimed to explore current practices and opinions regarding the efficacy of group care models in delivering nutrition education to mother-infant dyads. METHODOLOGY: A quantitative, cross-sectional study was conducted among family physicians in Buraydah, Saudi Arabia, from June to August 2023. Participants were recruited using a randomized sampling method from primary healthcare centers. Data were collected through a well-structured, self-administered questionnaire. The total participant count was 60. Statistical analyses were conducted using descriptive and inferential methods. RESULTS: The majority of participants were men (n=32, 53.3%), under 30 years of age (n=31, 51.7%), and had 0 to five years of experience in medical practice (n=32, 53.4%). A high weekly volume of infant and maternal clinic visits was reported (n=44, 73.3%) but predominantly conducted individual nutrition education sessions (n=60, 100%). A significant majority (n=41, 68.3%) expressed a positive potential for group care in nutrition education. CONCLUSION: The study revealed a positive inclination among family medicine providers towards group care models for maternal and infant nutrition education. However, current practices largely involved one-on-one sessions, indicating a gap between the recognition and implementation of group care models. It underscores the need for enhanced integration of group care approaches into clinical practice, highlighting their perceived benefits in efficiency and comprehensiveness. Future steps include implementing group care programs addressing participant concerns and assessing their efficacy in educating mothers on infant nutrition.

Anti-neutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody-Negative Rapid Progressive Glomerulonephritis With Mild Pathological Presentation in an Older Patient: A Case Report.

This case report discusses the management of anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA)-negative rapid progressive glomerulonephritis (RPGN) in a 68-year-old man with a complex medical history, presenting with fatigue, edema, and acute renal failure. Despite the absence of positive biomarkers for specific RPGN types, the clinical progression suggested microscopic polyangiitis, leading to intensive immunosuppressive therapy with cyclophosphamide and rituximab. The patient's condition was further complicated by the coexistence of nephritic and nephrotic syndromes, requiring nuanced management strategies, including prolonged hemodialysis. After initial treatment failure, remission was eventually achieved, allowing cessation of dialysis and significant recovery of renal function. This case highlights the challenges of diagnosing and managing ANCA-negative RPGN, particularly the importance of a tailored, dynamic approach to treatment in resource-limited settings. The recovery observed underscores the potential for renal function improvement even after prolonged periods of intensive therapy, reinforcing the need for persistence and adaptability in managing complex RPGN cases.

Chronic and Acute Drug-Induced Hypersensitivity Syndrome in a Rural Patient With Cytomegalovirus Infection: A Case Report.

A 50-year-old man presented with fever and a generalized rash, with chronic fatigue and lymphadenopathy for a year and a half. Initial tests ruled out lymphoproliferative disorders, showing reactive hyperplasia and cytomegalovirus. Symptoms worsened after ampicillin treatment, leading to suspected drug-induced hypersensitivity syndrome (DIHS). Upon admission, amoxicillin was discontinued, and prednisolone and antiviral treatment were initiated. The patient's condition improved with this therapy. A drug-induced lymphocyte stimulation test confirmed hypersensitivity to both ampicillin and allopurinol. This case illustrates the diagnostic challenge of chronic and acute DIHS because of the rare presentation. It underscores the need for high suspicion of DIHS in patients with chronic lymphadenopathy and fatigue, particularly with recent drug exposure. Effective management involves recognizing symptoms, withdrawing the offending drug, and using corticosteroids. Viral infections like cytomegalovirus can complicate DIHS diagnosis and treatment, necessitating a comprehensive approach. This case highlights the importance of considering DIHS in differential diagnoses and the complexities of managing it alongside co-infections in rural healthcare settings.

Factors Determining Satisfaction with Service Delivery at Family Medicine Clinics of a Tertiary Hospital in North Central Nigeria.

Background: Patients' satisfaction with service delivered at the healthcare facility is a critical index of quality of care in the health industry. Hence, it is paramount to ascertain patients' satisfaction to improve service delivery. Methodology: The study was a cross-sectional design conducted among 104 patients aged 18 to 65 years who were on follow-up for chronic diseases at the Family Medicine Clinics. Data was collected from the participants via interviewer administered questionnaire. Statistical significance was determined using paired samples t-test, Chi-square, and logistic regression was set at a p-value of ≤ 0.05. Results: The study used104 patients with chronic diseases. The mean age of the study population (N = 104) was 51.83± 9.37years. The ages ranged from 21-69 years.65 (62.5%) were females; male to female ratio was 1:1.7. The majority of them had formal education 59 (56.7%). There were no statistically significant differences in the socio-demographic characteristics. Waiting time was found to be the most significant predictor of patient satisfaction in this study (P=0.003; O. R=3.17, CI=1.03-1.15). The overall satisfaction score with service delivery in the study area was 71.4%. Conclusion: Patients recorded a high level of satisfaction with service delivery 71.4% for the care received at the study site, particularly during their experiences with the physicians, pharmacists, lab scientists, nurses, and record officers, and the neatness of the clinic's environment. The results indicate that good communication has a positive effect on patients' level of satisfaction. Henceforth, service providers should employ patient-centered communication to improve quality of care.

Implementation and evaluation of a mentorship program in clinical master in family medicine during the COVID-19 pandemic at the Arabian Gulf University: a longitudinal study.

BACKGROUND: We implemented a contextualized innovative mentorship program in the Clinical Master in Family Medicine (CMFM) program established in April 2020 at Arabian Gulf University. In this paper, we describe the process of this program and derive the major challenges faced by trainees and related corrective actions and their outcomes on high-risk trainees for optimal performance. METHODS: We conducted a mixed-method longitudinal study of 80 trainees, analyzing information extracted from the Moodle learning platform about five key performance indicators as well as the contents (quantitative and qualitative) of mentoring meeting reports submitted through a validated online form between 2020 and 2022. We analyzed frequencies and themes of challenges and compared trainees' performance according to time and level of risk. RESULTS: The follow-up of all 80 trainees in two cohorts (40 for each cohort) shows that most are female (93.75%) and the mean age is 30.00 ± 2.19 years with a ratio of mentors to mentees of 1 to 5. Meetings are conducted through phone calls, virtually, and face-to-face in 62%, 29%, and 8.3% respectively. The mean number and duration of meetings are 30.88 ± 2.31 and 20.08 ± 9.50 min respectively. Time management is the most reported challenge (41.3%), followed by health, social, and psychological-related issues in 7.6%, 4.6%, and 3% respectively. We extracted four main themes related to trainees, settings of training, e-Portfolio, and the COVID-19 pandemic. The mentorship program captured 12 trainees at high risk for low academic progress (12%) of whom six graduated on time and the remaining had to repeat a few courses the following terms. The performance of the program is stable over time (mean GPA of 3.30 (SE = 0.03), versus 3.34 (SE = 0.05) for cohorts 1 and 2 in the two years respectively, (P = 0.33). However, it is slightly lower among high-risk trainees compared to the remaining (GPA = 3.35 (SE = 0.03) versus 3.14 (SE = 0.08), P = 0.043) though above the minimum of the threshold of 3 out of 4, required for the master's degree. CONCLUSION: The mentorship program captured the struggling trainees and permitted to implement pertinent corrective actions timely, particularly in the context of a two-year intensive CMFM program during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Medical students' impression of a generalist in Japan: A cross-sectional study.

Background: Despite the increasing global demand, few medical students aspire to become generalists. To address this shortage, we investigated medical students' impressions of generalists in Japan. Methods: This cross-sectional study used a web-based questionnaire from a previous study. The participants chose the impression of a generalist from four categories based on the previous report: family physician, hospital family physician, hospitalist, and general internal medicine. Results: Medical students' impressions were as follows: family physicians (32%), hospitalists (28%), general internal medicine staff (20%), and hospital family physicians (18%). Students considered reasonable working hours, research opportunities, a clinical clerkship in generalist medicine, and information from university faculty as essential for making career choices. Conclusions: The study demonstrated that the number of Japanese medical students who considered generalists to be family physicians/hospital family physicians and the number of those who considered generalists to be hospitalists/general internal medicine were almost equal. To increase the number of medical students who consider and choose to become generalists, understanding their impressions of generalist practice and their needs regarding work settings in that role is crucial.

Developing an electronic portfolio of learning for family medicine training in South Africa.

Workplace-based assessment has become increasingly crucial in the postgraduate training of specialists in South Africa, particularly for family physicians. The development of a Portfolio of Learning (PoL) has been a central focus within the discipline of family medicine for over a decade. Initially, a paper-based portfolio was adopted to collect evidence of learning for 50 out of 85 agreed exit-level outcomes. Stellenbosch University led the conversion of this portfolio into an electronic format, known as e-PoL, utilising Scorion software. The e-PoL was successfully implemented in the Western and Eastern Cape regions and was subsequently adopted nationally under the coordination of the South African Academy of Family Physicians. In 2023, the e-PoL underwent a redesign to gather evidence of learning for 22 entrustable professional activities (EPAs). Key insights from this development process underscore the importance of the PoL in supporting assessment-for-learning rather than merely assessment-of-learning. This necessitates features for feedback and interaction, ensuring that the PoL functions beyond a mere repository of forms. Additionally, the e-PoL should facilitate triangulation, aggregation, and saturation of data points to effectively measure EPAs. Furthermore, the PoL has not only documented learning but has also played a pivotal role in guiding the development of clinical training by explicitly outlining expectations for both registrars and supervisors. While the initial design and development costs are significant, operational costs become affordable when shared across all training programmes.

The association between primary care appointment lengths and opioid prescribing for common pain conditions.

BACKGROUND: While brief duration primary care appointments may improve access, they also limit the time clinicians spend evaluating painful conditions. This study aimed to evaluate whether 15-minute primary care appointments resulted in higher rates of opioid prescribing when compared to ≥ 30-minute appointments. METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort study using electronic health record (EHR), pharmacy, and administrative scheduling data from five primary care practices in Minnesota. Adult patients seen for acute Evaluation & Management visits between 10/1/2015 and 9/30/2017 scheduled for 15-minute appointments were propensity score matched to those scheduled for ≥ 30-minutes. Sub-groups were analyzed to include patients with acute and chronic pain conditions and prior opioid exposure. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to examine the effects of appointment length on the likelihood of an opioid being prescribed, adjusting for covariates including ethnicity, race, sex, marital status, and prior ED visits and hospitalizations for all conditions. RESULTS: We identified 45,471 eligible acute primary care visits during the study period with 2.7% (N = 1233) of the visits scheduled for 15 min and 98.2% (N = 44,238) scheduled for 30 min or longer. Rates of opioid prescribing were significantly lower for opioid naive patients with acute pain scheduled in 15-minute appointments when compared to appointments of 30 min of longer (OR 0.55, 95% CI 0.35-0.84). There were no significant differences in opioid prescribing among other sub-groups. CONCLUSIONS: For selected indications and for selected patients, shorter duration appointments may not result in greater rates of opioid prescribing for common painful conditions.

Acute intravascular haemolysis associated with scrub typhus.

Scrub typhus, a prevalent tropical infection, may sometimes manifest with unusual complications. Here, we present the case of a young man who was admitted to our facility with a fever for the past 3 days and passage of dark-coloured urine since that morning. On investigation, we identified intravascular haemolytic anaemia. Through meticulous examination, a black necrotic lesion (eschar) was discovered on his right buttock, a pathognomonic sign of scrub typhus infection. Treatment was initiated with oral doxycycline 100 mg two times a day. Subsequently, diagnosis of scrub typhus was confirmed through positive results from scrub typhus IgM via ELISA and PCR analysis from the eschar tissue. The patient responded well to oral doxycycline and his symptoms resolved within the next few days. This case highlights severe intravascular haemolysis associated with scrub typhus infection.

Aortic root dilation in acromegaly.

Previous studies have linked persistent elevations in growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) to cardiac abnormalities including aortic root dilation. Guidelines in the management of this dilation below the size recommended for surgery have not been well defined but follow-up and intervention when appropriate could be life-saving. We report the case of a man in his 60s who had been living with undiagnosed acromegaly for many years. His initial assessment through point-of-care ultrasound raised concerns about potential cardiac enlargement, prompting further investigation with a formal echocardiogram, which revealed a significant aortic root dilation measuring 4.5 cm. Subsequent blood tests confirmed elevated levels of IGF-1. Brain MRI showed a focal lesion in the pituitary gland, which was surgically resected, confirming the diagnosis of a GH-secreting pituitary adenoma. One year after surgery, a repeat CT angiogram of the chest demonstrated a stable size of the aortic root aneurysm.

Hepatitis-B immune status and vaccination in Family Medicine Practice: A retrospective study.

Objective: To examine the relationship between Hepatitis B vaccination status and demographic and hepatitis B markers of individuals receiving healthcare services. Methods: The study designed in a retrospective structure using quantitative research methods was conducted with a total of 1837 individuals including medical school students and other healthcare professionals (975 female, 862 male) aged 19-77 who were registered to the Family Health Center between March 1, 2023, and March 31, 2023. In the study, sociodemographic characteristics, infancy and adult full-dose hepatitis-B vaccines, and marker laboratory measurements of these individuals who were registered to the Family Health Center were examined. SPSS 25.00 program was used for statistical analysis and the level of significance was determined as 0.05. Results: In general, the rate of three doses of vaccination in infancy was 55.1%. Vaccine doses administered to individuals were one with 15.1%, two with 22.9%, and three with 62.1%. In the study, it was determined that anti-HBs levels before and after vaccination differed significantly according to vaccine doses (p=0.01). It was determined that the anti-HBs levels of the three doses vaccine group were 100 and above (p=0.01). Conclusion: Although the Universal Hepatitis-B Vaccination Program was followed in our study, it was determined that antibody levels in healthcare workers decreased or ended over time, and hepatitis-B antibody levels increased significantly with each dose of vaccine administered. For this reason, it is of great importance to determine regular antibody levels and develop standard vaccination programs, especially in healthcare workers.

Adverse Lipid Profiles Are Associated With Lower Dementia Risk in Older People.

OBJECTIVE: Midlife dyslipidemia is associated with higher risk of dementia in late-life dementia, but the impact of late-life dyslipidemia on dementia risk is uncertain. This may be due to the large heterogeneity in cholesterol measures and study designs employed. We used detailed data from a large prospective cohort of older persons to comprehensively assess the relation between a broad range of cholesterol measures and incident dementia, addressing potential biases, confounders, and modifiers. DESIGN: Post hoc observational analysis based on data from a dementia prevention trial (PreDIVA). SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: 3392 community-dwelling individuals, without dementia, aged 70-78 years at baseline (recruited between June 2006 and March 2009). METHODS: Total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), triglycerides, and apolipoprotein A1 and B were assessed. Over a median of 6.7 years' follow-up, dementia was established by clinical diagnosis confirmed by independent outcome adjudication. Hazard ratios (HRs) for dementia and mortality were calculated using Cox regression. RESULTS: Dementia occurred in 231 (7%) participants. One-SD increase in LDL/HDL conveyed a 19% (P = .01) lower dementia risk and a 10% (P = .02) lower risk of dementia/mortality combined. This was independent of age, cardiovascular risk factors, cognitive function, apolipoprotein E genotype, and cholesterol-lowering drugs (CLD). This association was not influenced by the competing risk of mortality. Consistent and significant interactions suggested these associations were predominant in individuals with low body mass index (BMI) and higher education. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Dyslipidemia in older individuals was associated with a lower risk of dementia. Low BMI and higher education level mitigate poor outcomes associated with dyslipidemia. These findings suggest that a different approach may be appropriate for interpreting lipid profiles that are conventionally considered adverse in older adults. Such an approach may aid predicting dementia risk and designing intervention studies aimed at reducing dementia risk in older populations.

Alkaline Phosphatase > 2000 U/L in an Infant With Stool Changes: A Case Report.

Transient hyperphosphatasemia (TH) is a benign condition observed among healthy infants and children < 5 years old. It is characterized by an elevation in serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in the absence of other signs of organ disease. Prognosis is excellent, and ALP levels stabalize within 4 months. The aim of this case report is to promote broader awareness of TH so further unnecessary workup is avoided. The patient was a 12-month-old girl who presented with pale stools, a single episode of bloody stool, and elevation (incidentally found) in her ALP of 2379 IU/L. A small anal fissure was present, and the remainder of her physical examination was typical. The differential diagnosis included biliary atresia, liver disease, bone disease, and TH. Further testing was typical and included complete blood count (CBC, consisting of hemoglobin, hematocrit, white blood cell count, and platelet count), comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP, consisting of glucose, creatinine, BUN, electrolytes, and liver function markers), calcium, phosphate, parathyroid hormone, gamma-glutamyl transferase, and 25-hydroxy vitamin D. Liver ultrasound was also typical without evidence of biliary atresia. The diagnosis of TH was made. The patient was monitored clinically. Repeat blood work was completed 2 months later, with ALP levels returning to the typical range. Overall, TH is a benign self-limiting condition that can be managed by observation and serial measurement of ALP without further unnecessary investigations.