The New Face Of Academic Family Medicine

Abstract

The journey of The South African Academy of Family Practice/Primary Care for the past twenty five years may be divided into two phases. The first part was a solo journey for the Academy when its main focus was provision of continuous professional development for family doctors. The second phase began with the formation of Family Medicine Education Consortium (FaMEC), a forum representing a network of the Family Medicine departments of the eight medical schools in South Africa. The Academy and FaMEC have since formed a double act in the development of the discipline of Family Medicine. A close relationship between the two organizations has seen us undertake several projects together: The South African Family Practice Journal (SAFP); Rural Heath Initiative (RHI); The Interuniversity Centre for Family Medicine (ICHO)- FaMEC Training Project; Family Practice Congresses; The South African Family Practice Manual. Together, we have evolved from an organization providing CPD to an organization that truly is at the forefront in under- and post- graduate training of doctors in Family Medicine, development of the discipline of Family Medicine and Accreditation of CPD activities in General/Family Practice.