Annals of family medicine
-
Annals of family medicine · May 2004
ReviewWhy research in family medicine? A superfluous question.
The ultimate answer to the question, "Why research in family medicine?" is to provide better care for our patients. Through research we want to improve quality of primary care by improving our understanding and practice of it. This research will inevitably be specific for family medicine as family medicine is a specific discipline. ⋯ We propose to map these questions within a framework defined by the 3 dimensions of the Donabedian triangle--structure, process, and outcome-and within each of these dimensions by 5 foci-basic knowledge, diagnostic and therapeutic problem solving, practice implementation, policy context, and education. This framework may help to make the various research questions operational and to point out the gaps in our research. The questions and answers should be relevant to daily practice and comprise all domains of family medicine so that eventually most of our daily actions in practice will be underpinned with medical, contextual, and policy evidence and contribute to the improvement of the quality of care.
-
Family medicine has matured as an academic and scientific discipline with its own core concepts, knowledge, skills, and research domains. It has acquired much expertise in studying common illnesses; the integration of medical, psychological, social, and behavioral sciences; patient-centered care; and health services delivery. Many health care challenges in the 21st century will place a great demand on primary care, which can serve its purpose only if it is of high quality and evidence based. ⋯ Family medicine can play a leading role in shifting the paradigm of medical research from the laboratory to the person. The 21st century should be a golden age of family medicine research because the time is right for the discipline, the health care environment is most suitable, and stakeholders are supportive. Family medicine must prepare for it by building up its research track record and capacity.
-
The purpose of the article is to illustrate where in the lifelong curriculum of family medicine ought students, trainees, and family physicians learn about research in family medicine. The role of Wonca to promote this endeavor is discussed. I describe the recruitment and training programs for family physicians and state the implication for Wonca to promote family medicine research in the undergraduate curriculum, during residency, and in the graduate study programs for experienced medical doctors. ⋯ It is time for Wonca to develop a policy for family medicine research by developing a strategy to promote it. This can be done through a Wonca policy statement about family medicine research in the medical curriculum. Wonca can, in collaboration with national colleges, arrange workshops and master classes in research; create scholarships and fellowships for international family medicine researchers; influence journals and international bodies, such as the World Health Organization, governments, and colleges about the necessity of good family medical research; describe ethical guidelines for international primary care research; and create a number of databases for researchers to use.
-
Annals of family medicine · May 2004
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialPatient pain in primary care: factors that influence physician diagnosis.
The accurate recognition of patient pain is a crucial, but sometimes difficult, task in medical care. This study explored factors related to the physician's diagnosis of pain in primary care patients. ⋯ The diagnosis of pain is influenced by the severity of patient pain, patient gender, and physician practice style. If the routine use of pain assessment tools is found to be effective in improving physician recognition and treatment of patients' pain, then application of these tools in patient care settings should be encouraged.