The American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) held its first International Family Practice Consultation Workshop May 17-19, 2003 at the Resort at Squaw Creek, Lake Tahoe, California. The conference brought together academic and practicing family physicians to discuss the training, background and experience of those family doctors who are involved in international family medicine and to exchange ideas and suggestions with those considering international family practice activities.
The impetus for the AAFP International Family Practice Development Assistance Program (IFPDAP) came from an increasing number of requests to the AAFP and its members for high-quality consultations from countries and institutions interested in developing family medicine around the world. This led to the formation of IFPDAP, a group of experienced FP international consultants who were asked to advise and assist the AAFP in responding effectively to these requests. These eight consultants, with three AAFP staff, served as the Advisory Group and the faculty for the Workshop.
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| IFPDAP group photo. Sitting left to right: Ms. Jessie Johnson, MA, Manager, AAFP International Activities, Dan Ostergaard, MD, AAFP VP International Activities, Edward Shahady, MD. Standing eft to right: Ms. Terry Smalley, Sr. Program Coordinator, AAFP International Activities, Don Asp, MD, Joe Scherger, MD, Steven Spann, MD, Vincent Hunt, MD and Brian Jack, MD. |
IFPDAP team discussion prior to the workshop
Plenary sessions were followed by small group discussions. Case studies in the curriculum book were the starting point for what turned out to be lively and informative exchanges among the participants. The attendees brought a wealth of knowledge and experience in FP international development and programming from countries as diverse as Kyrgyzstan, Jordan, China, Lebanon, Ecuador, and Kenya. Those with less experience internationally had questions, comments, and solid family practice backgrounds. The mix worked. The conference schedule allowed ample time for interaction among faculty and participants, whether novice or highly experienced, leading to a cross-pollination of ideas and experiences that will benefit ongoing and future family medicine development projects around the world. The Workshop also served as an important forum for networking among those involved in family medicine development programs and those who want to be involved.
Dr. Charles Godue delivers key plenary titled "The Need for Primary
Health Care (Family Practice) in Other Countries"
Dr. Vince Hunt and workshop participant in discussion
Charles Godue, MD, of the Pan American Health Organization, set the stage with the opening plenary, " The Need for Primary Health Care (Family Practice) in Other Countries." He emphasized the importance of aligning the education model with the conditions specific to the host country, a genuine partnership with the local community involving decision-makers in creating a supportive environment and incentives for graduates. Other presentations included the following key topics for successful international consultation:
After two and one-half days of lively and motivating discussion, Daniel Ostergaard MD, AAFP Vice President, International and Interprofessional Activities, summarized the proceedings and listed several things the Academy can do for consultants and participants, what they can do for the AAFP, and what the AAFP can't do. The AAFP can serve as a repository for international consulting material, provide key documents and the International Opportunities Guide, and maintain a listserv and a Web site. The participants can suggest possible projects, send translations and copies of materials that may be of help to others, and inform the Academy about who is doing what, where, and with whom, . The AAFP cannot provide funds or critique proposals in depth.
Drs. Ed Shahady and Dan Ostergaard with workshop participants
Several participants hold a discussion between workshop sessions
Dr. Ostergaard also highlighted the need for training a core of motivated FPs able to provide high-quality educational, administrative and policy-level international consultation. The workshop encouraged ongoing dialogue among the AAFP, its members, and those governmental and non-governmental organizations that are involved in international policy formation and programming. The AAFP through the work of IFPDAP hopes to organize a formal international consultant-training program. Already AAFP International Activities has a repository of documents related to international family practice development that can be accessed by members interested in a particular part of the world or a particular facet of FP development. You are encouraged to send to share documents that you have found helpful by sending them to Jessie Johnson at the AAFP.
Be on the lookout for notification of future activities. Further information about the proceedings of this meeting - which will be available on a CD - and information about upcoming meetings can be obtained from Jessie Johnson, Manager, AAFP International Activities, email: jessiej@aafp.org.
Brian
Jack, M.D.
IPFDAP Faculty Member