• Meral Demirören and BaşerDuygu AyhanDA0000-0002-5153-2184Department of Family Medicine, Hacettepe University School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey..
• Department of Medical Education and Informatics, Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey.
• Eur J Gen Pract. 2024 Dec 1; 30 (1): 23862842386284.

BackgroundHealth advocacy (HA) involves purposeful actions to inform, mobilise, and organise activities to address social determinants of health affecting individuals or communities. It is a fundamental component of medical practice, deemed mandatory by professional and educational bodies. Therefore, including health advocacy training in pre- and post-graduate medical education is crucial.ObjectivesIn this study, we aimed to determine the need for HA training for family physicians (FPs) based on expert opinions.MethodsWe conducted a modified Delphi study with 105 academic experts and active FPs to explore HA training needs. Using a three-round technique, experts first answered five open-ended questions on HA competencies, teaching and assessment methods, learning environments, and integration in residency training. In the second round, statements from the responses were rated on a 5-point Likert scale, in the third round, statements below the 85% consensus level were revised and re-evaluated.ResultsThe panel consisted of 41 experts (33 academicians, 8 practitioners) who accepted the invitation and completed the study. At the end of the three rounds, consensus was reached on 38 statements for HA competencies, 15 for teaching methods, 8 for assessment methods, and 20 for integration for HA training.ConclusionCompetencies for the HA role are very broad in perspective and show commonalities with the FPs' 'professional', 'expert' and 'leader' roles. Longitudinally integration of the HA training into the national 'Family Medicine Residency Training Core Curriculum' through participatory processes and training of FM trainers in HA is strongly recommended.

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