South Africa has joined a global initiative for Family Medicine advocacy

  • Klaus B von Pressentin Stellenbosch University
  • Kyle Hoedebecke
  • Luís Pinho-Costa Fânzeres Family Health Unit (Portugal)
Keywords: Family medicine, general practice, advocacy

Abstract

The international #1WordforFamilyMedicine initiative serves to explore the identity of family physicians and allows the international Family Medicine community to collaborate on advocating the discipline. South African family physicians provided 42 responses via a social media and online survey. Two “word cloud” images were created based on two icons recognised as being truly South African around the world – the national flag and former president Nelson Mandela. The #1WorldforFamilyMedicine initiative was promoted by the World Organization of Family Doctors across the globe to help celebrate World Family Doctor Day on 19 May 2015. To date, over 70 images have been created in 50 different countries on six continents. The images represent family physicians’ love for their profession and the community they serve. It is hoped that this initiative will help to inspire current and future Family Medicine and primary care providers. (Full text available online at www.medpharm.tandfonline.com/ojfp) S Afr Fam Pract 2016; DOI: 10.1080/20786190.2015.1085224

Author Biographies

Klaus B von Pressentin, Stellenbosch University
Senior Lecturer Division Family Medicine & Primary care Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences Stellenbosch University
Kyle Hoedebecke
New Physician Representative to Polaris Assistant Professor of Family Medicine (USA)
Luís Pinho-Costa, Fânzeres Family Health Unit (Portugal)
GP/FM Trainee Fânzeres Family Health Unit (Portugal)
Published
2016-03-15
Section
Research Articles