WONCA Family Medicine – serie

This book provides up-to-date, practical information for family doctors on how to assess and manage important mental health problems presenting in primary care settings. Patients frequently present with mental health problems in primary care settings around the world, yet family doctors consistently identify gaps in their knowledge, skills and confidence in how best to care for them. Contributors to the book are experts in primary mental health care and have consulted with family doctors around the world, to identify their main learning needs. Each of the nine core chapters will begin with a set of key points on ‘how to do it’ and will end with educational material in the form of clinical scenarios and multiple choice questions. This book describes core competencies for primary mental health care, clarifies how to conduct a first consultation about depression, reviews non-drug interventions for common mental health problems, discusses the management of unexplained physical symptoms, and advises on the physical health care of patients with severe mental illness. It explores the mental health needs of migrants and young people, and explains how to manage problems of frailty, multimorbidity and dementia. This book will be of interest to family doctors and students specialising in family medicine worldwide.

This book provides up-to-date, practical information for family doctors on how to assess and manage important mental health problems presenting in primary care settings. Patients frequently present with mental health problems in primary care settings around the world, yet family doctors consistently identify gaps in their knowledge, skills and confidence in how best to care for them. Contributors to the book are experts in primary mental health care and have consulted with family doctors around the world, to identify their main learning needs. Each of the nine core chapters will begin with a set of key points on ‘how to do it’ and will end with educational material in the form of clinical scenarios and multiple choice questions. This book describes core competencies for primary mental health care, clarifies how to conduct a first consultation about depression, reviews non-drug interventions for common mental health problems, discusses the management of unexplained physical symptoms, and advises on the physical health care of patients with severe mental illness. It explores the mental health needs of migrants and young people, and explains how to manage problems of frailty, multimorbidity and dementia. This book will be of interest to family doctors and students specialising in family medicine worldwide.

This joint publication from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Organization of Family Doctors (WONCA) provides a concise analysis of the state of family practice in the 22 countries spread over North Africa, the Middle East and Western Asia, i.e. the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) in both English and Arabic. It shares perspectives and advice from global and regional leaders on how family practice can be introduced and strengthened in high-, middle- and low-income countries.

This joint publication from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Organization of Family Doctors (WONCA) provides a concise analysis of the state of family practice in the 22 countries spread over North Africa, the Middle East and Western Asia, i.e. the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) in both English and Arabic. It shares perspectives and advice from global and regional leaders on how family practice can be introduced and strengthened in high-, middle- and low-income countries.

Primary care is a rapidly growing academic branch of learning and developing its own body of research is the hallmark of a maturing academic discipline. This practical guide is the first designed specifically to support those planning, conducting and disseminating primary care educational research. While research informs clinical practice, organisation of primary care services and teaching the discipline, educational practices and modes of delivery are rapidly changing, particularly in response to new information technologies. Primary care practitioners must be engaged in life-long learning and keep abreast of developments in many arenas and educational research into how to address this has thus become of paramount importance.Key Features: The first ‘how-to’ guide to designing, conducting and disseminating primary care educational research Focus on inter-professional education, co-design and participatory research approaches, in line with current primary care models of care involving inter-disciplinary teams Wide in scope, exploring the current research environment in the contexts of undergraduate teaching, postgraduate training, continuing professional development, and patient education, for academics and educationalists at all levels Step-by-step introduction to the processes of literature review (establishing the existing knowledge base), choosing a topic, research questions and methodology, conducting research and disseminating results Supported by the WONCA Working Parties on Research and EducationThis book will encourage and upskill academics at universities and institutions teaching primary care in both undergraduate and postgraduate settings, providing support and guidance on how to conduct their own research and evaluate their own programmes, and will help to grow academic research in this discipline in high and, importantly, also low- and middle-income countries.

Primary care is a rapidly growing academic branch of learning and developing its own body of research is the hallmark of a maturing academic discipline. This practical guide is the first designed specifically to support those planning, conducting and disseminating primary care educational research. While research informs clinical practice, organisation of primary care services and teaching the discipline, educational practices and modes of delivery are rapidly changing, particularly in response to new information technologies. Primary care practitioners must be engaged in life-long learning and keep abreast of developments in many arenas and educational research into how to address this has thus become of paramount importance.Key Features: The first ‘how-to’ guide to designing, conducting and disseminating primary care educational research Focus on inter-professional education, co-design and participatory research approaches, in line with current primary care models of care involving inter-disciplinary teams Wide in scope, exploring the current research environment in the contexts of undergraduate teaching, postgraduate training, continuing professional development, and patient education, for academics and educationalists at all levels Step-by-step introduction to the processes of literature review (establishing the existing knowledge base), choosing a topic, research questions and methodology, conducting research and disseminating results Supported by the WONCA Working Parties on Research and EducationThis book will encourage and upskill academics at universities and institutions teaching primary care in both undergraduate and postgraduate settings, providing support and guidance on how to conduct their own research and evaluate their own programmes, and will help to grow academic research in this discipline in high and, importantly, also low- and middle-income countries.

This third edition of the International Classification of Primary Care (ICPC-3) is indispensible for anyone wishing to use the international classification system for classification of morbidity data in a primary care setting. Distilling the many standards that are applied internationally in primary & community care and public health to offer a telescopic view, the classification has been completely rewritten to reflect the continued shift in the health paradigm of primary care and public health towards the person rather than the disease or provider. The content of ICPC-3 remains closely ‘linked’ to relevant related international classifications. The ICPC-3 also contributes to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, specifically to Goal 3 and its target of ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all at all ages.

This third edition of the International Classification of Primary Care (ICPC-3) is indispensible for anyone wishing to use the international classification system for classification of morbidity data in a primary care setting. Distilling the many standards that are applied internationally in primary & community care and public health to offer a telescopic view, the classification has been completely rewritten to reflect the continued shift in the health paradigm of primary care and public health towards the person rather than the disease or provider. The content of ICPC-3 remains closely ‘linked’ to relevant related international classifications. The ICPC-3 also contributes to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, specifically to Goal 3 and its target of ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all at all ages.

It has been recognised by governments and healthcare organisations worldwide that for Universal Healthcare in pursuit of Health for All under the Sustainable Development Goals to be achieved, effective primary care that is integrated, accessible, and affordable for everyone is essential.This practical guide is the first designed specifically to support those planning and conducting family medicine/primary care education within medical schools around the world. It offers medical educators a collection of concise easy to follow chapters, guiding the reader through the curriculum requirements with key references for further detail. Plain English and practical, deliverable advice, adaptable to different contexts, ensures the content is accessible to those educating medical students in any country, while the structure within sections ensures that family medicine doctors and educators can dip into chapters relevant to their roles, for example curriculum design for academic educators or teaching methods for those educating in clinical practice.Key Features■ The first “how-to” guide dedicated to effective integration of family medicine teaching into medical school curricula■ Offers a strong evidence-based framework for integrating family medicine into medical schools■ Wide in scope, for academics and educationalists at all levels and in all geographies, reflecting and embracing the experience and variation in family medicine across the globe to produce pragmatic and effective information on which medical schools can base change■ Step-by-step introduction to the processes of literature review (establishing the existing knowledge base), choosing a topic, research questions, and methodology, conducting research, and disseminating results■ Supported by the WONCA Working Party on EducationThe book is edited and authored by members of the World Organization of Family Doctors (WONCA) Working Party on Education, which is ideally placed to offer a strong platform for medical schools to integrate family medicine whatever the local context, enabling all future doctors, whatever their career aspiration, to understand the importance of family medicine to health systems and holistic medicine and encourage family medicine doctors to inspire students to consider a career in the field.The Open Access version of this book, available at http://www.taylorfrancis.com, has been made available under a Creative Commons [Attribution-NonCommercial (CC BY-NC) 4.0 International license.

It has been recognised by governments and healthcare organisations worldwide that for Universal Healthcare in pursuit of Health for All under the Sustainable Development Goals to be achieved, effective primary care that is integrated, accessible, and affordable for everyone is essential.This practical guide is the first designed specifically to support those planning and conducting family medicine/primary care education within medical schools around the world. It offers medical educators a collection of concise easy to follow chapters, guiding the reader through the curriculum requirements with key references for further detail. Plain English and practical, deliverable advice, adaptable to different contexts, ensures the content is accessible to those educating medical students in any country, while the structure within sections ensures that family medicine doctors and educators can dip into chapters relevant to their roles, for example curriculum design for academic educators or teaching methods for those educating in clinical practice.Key Features■ The first “how-to” guide dedicated to effective integration of family medicine teaching into medical school curricula■ Offers a strong evidence-based framework for integrating family medicine into medical schools■ Wide in scope, for academics and educationalists at all levels and in all geographies, reflecting and embracing the experience and variation in family medicine across the globe to produce pragmatic and effective information on which medical schools can base change■ Step-by-step introduction to the processes of literature review (establishing the existing knowledge base), choosing a topic, research questions, and methodology, conducting research, and disseminating results■ Supported by the WONCA Working Party on EducationThe book is edited and authored by members of the World Organization of Family Doctors (WONCA) Working Party on Education, which is ideally placed to offer a strong platform for medical schools to integrate family medicine whatever the local context, enabling all future doctors, whatever their career aspiration, to understand the importance of family medicine to health systems and holistic medicine and encourage family medicine doctors to inspire students to consider a career in the field.The Open Access version of this book, available at http://www.taylorfrancis.com, has been made available under a Creative Commons [Attribution-NonCommercial (CC BY-NC) 4.0 International license.

This book provides practical information about depression and anxiety in primary care, with a focus on the approach in different countries and incorporating global ranges/prevalence, risk factors and health burden including that associated with COVID-19 and its pandemic. To ensure the challenges of a wide international primary care community are reflected fully, authors from different world regions – Africa, Asia Pacific, East Mediterranean, Europe, IberoAmericana-CIMF, North America and South Asia – have co-contributed to individual chapters on the detection and management of depression and anxiety in primary care in their own countries, including the screening tools used, how widely these tools are adopted and by whom, and current policies. As well as the medical model, it also presents the alternative viewpoint that feeling low or anxious is part of the human condition and the attention should be on supporting people in their journey through life, struggling to deal with the mainly social challenges they meet, rather than defining these problems as disorders or diseases requiring identification and treatment. Key Features: Explores the instruments used for the detection of depression and anxiety in primary care in various countries, and why and how these instruments are being used Describes the pharmaceutical and non-drug interventions for treating depression and anxiety in primary care and compares the similarities and differences in detecting and managing depression and anxiety in primary care among different countries Includes in-depth regional examples of how screening tools are used in practice and how policies can be established in the management of depression and anxiety in primary care Concludes with lessons learned from various countries and from different stakeholders with clear advice on what to do and, importantly, what not to doAddressing primary care detection and management of mental health issues across the globe, the book will be an invaluable practical aid for family medicine practitioners and the wider primary and community care teams and a useful reference for those involved in policy setting at regional and national levels including ministries of health.

This book provides practical information about depression and anxiety in primary care, with a focus on the approach in different countries and incorporating global ranges/prevalence, risk factors and health burden including that associated with COVID-19 and its pandemic. To ensure the challenges of a wide international primary care community are reflected fully, authors from different world regions – Africa, Asia Pacific, East Mediterranean, Europe, IberoAmericana-CIMF, North America and South Asia – have co-contributed to individual chapters on the detection and management of depression and anxiety in primary care in their own countries, including the screening tools used, how widely these tools are adopted and by whom, and current policies. As well as the medical model, it also presents the alternative viewpoint that feeling low or anxious is part of the human condition and the attention should be on supporting people in their journey through life, struggling to deal with the mainly social challenges they meet, rather than defining these problems as disorders or diseases requiring identification and treatment. Key Features: Explores the instruments used for the detection of depression and anxiety in primary care in various countries, and why and how these instruments are being used Describes the pharmaceutical and non-drug interventions for treating depression and anxiety in primary care and compares the similarities and differences in detecting and managing depression and anxiety in primary care among different countries Includes in-depth regional examples of how screening tools are used in practice and how policies can be established in the management of depression and anxiety in primary care Concludes with lessons learned from various countries and from different stakeholders with clear advice on what to do and, importantly, what not to doAddressing primary care detection and management of mental health issues across the globe, the book will be an invaluable practical aid for family medicine practitioners and the wider primary and community care teams and a useful reference for those involved in policy setting at regional and national levels including ministries of health.

This insightful and timely book equips family doctors and other primary healthcare professionals with the knowledge and skills needed to address a diverse range of new and important challenges in the field of primary mental health care, including ongoing impacts from the COVID pandemic, thanatophobia, and end-of life care, humanitarian and geopolitical catastrophes, and the effects of climate change.There is an emphasis throughout on the need to encourage and so reap the benefits of interdisciplinary collaboration between family doctors and mental health specialists, and across the range of primary care and community workers. Effective primary healthcare relies increasingly on the use of remote consultations, and the book explains how the potential of remote working can be maximized in low-resource settings. The book concludes with a consideration of how to protect and enhance the mental health of primary care workers in the face of these ongoing challenges in care.Key Features:Global and inclusive, providing practical guidance and direction across low-, middle-, and high-income settings, satisfying the needs of all primary care practitioners regardless of geographyFocused on key and immediate challenges for primary care practitioners arising from the COVID-19 pandemic, poverty, and social inequality, migration, and climate changeAddresses the vital importance of self-care by and of primary healthcare workers facing unprecedented work and emotional pressuresReflecting the expertise of the WONCA Working Party for Mental Health (WWPMH), building on the foundations laid in the 2020 WONCA volume Global Primary Mental Health Care, the editors and contributors all have expertise in primary mental health care at the frontline, with backgrounds in family medicine, psychiatry, psychology, and nursing.

This insightful and timely book equips family doctors and other primary healthcare professionals with the knowledge and skills needed to address a diverse range of new and important challenges in the field of primary mental health care, including ongoing impacts from the COVID pandemic, thanatophobia, and end-of life care, humanitarian and geopolitical catastrophes, and the effects of climate change.There is an emphasis throughout on the need to encourage and so reap the benefits of interdisciplinary collaboration between family doctors and mental health specialists, and across the range of primary care and community workers. Effective primary healthcare relies increasingly on the use of remote consultations, and the book explains how the potential of remote working can be maximized in low-resource settings. The book concludes with a consideration of how to protect and enhance the mental health of primary care workers in the face of these ongoing challenges in care.Key Features:Global and inclusive, providing practical guidance and direction across low-, middle-, and high-income settings, satisfying the needs of all primary care practitioners regardless of geographyFocused on key and immediate challenges for primary care practitioners arising from the COVID-19 pandemic, poverty, and social inequality, migration, and climate changeAddresses the vital importance of self-care by and of primary healthcare workers facing unprecedented work and emotional pressuresReflecting the expertise of the WONCA Working Party for Mental Health (WWPMH), building on the foundations laid in the 2020 WONCA volume Global Primary Mental Health Care, the editors and contributors all have expertise in primary mental health care at the frontline, with backgrounds in family medicine, psychiatry, psychology, and nursing.

This new book explores the core values of family medicine nationally, regionally, and globally, to identify if and/or where there is consensus and where these diversify in relation to contextual factors. Aligned with the WHO’s definition of primary healthcare and goal of universal health coverage and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, the book documents a global enquiry by teams of experts representing each world region on the vision, mission, core values and principles, and definition of family medicine in different countries. Each team has adopted different approaches and strategies in their exploration, findings, and conclusions.A common identity for family doctors is important for research agendas, training, recognition of the specialty, and advocacy. However, there is much diversity within and across the regions in the training and the practice of the discipline of family medicine, reflected in the core values. The ultimate goal is a shared vocabulary of humanity for colleagues throughout the world, enriched rather than hindered by their differences.KEY FEATURES:Addresses the core values and principles in family medicine and primary care across the globe, built around the central elements of care that is patient centred, equable, and community and science oriented, with professionalism and cooperation as key themesSupports primary care/family medicine providers in their dual goals of caring for the whole person and adapting to the evolving needs of the population of people under their care, tailored to reflect the specific needs in different world regionsConsiders the challenges of fragmented care, digital technologies, comorbidities, and growing health inequityAccessible, practical, and internationalThe book will be an invaluable guide for general practitioners, family physicians, family medicine specialists, and other primary care doctors and a useful reference for other primary care health professionals including practice, school and other primary care nurses, medical assistants, paramedics, and community pharmacists. It will also serve as recommended or supplementary reading in undergraduate medical and nursing programmes, in university-based postgraduate courses and master programmes in relevant primary care–related topics, and in vocational training programmes in general practice/family medicine.

This new book explores the core values of family medicine nationally, regionally, and globally, to identify if and/or where there is consensus and where these diversify in relation to contextual factors. Aligned with the WHO’s definition of primary healthcare and goal of universal health coverage and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, the book documents a global enquiry by teams of experts representing each world region on the vision, mission, core values and principles, and definition of family medicine in different countries. Each team has adopted different approaches and strategies in their exploration, findings, and conclusions.A common identity for family doctors is important for research agendas, training, recognition of the specialty, and advocacy. However, there is much diversity within and across the regions in the training and the practice of the discipline of family medicine, reflected in the core values. The ultimate goal is a shared vocabulary of humanity for colleagues throughout the world, enriched rather than hindered by their differences.KEY FEATURES:Addresses the core values and principles in family medicine and primary care across the globe, built around the central elements of care that is patient centred, equable, and community and science oriented, with professionalism and cooperation as key themesSupports primary care/family medicine providers in their dual goals of caring for the whole person and adapting to the evolving needs of the population of people under their care, tailored to reflect the specific needs in different world regionsConsiders the challenges of fragmented care, digital technologies, comorbidities, and growing health inequityAccessible, practical, and internationalThe book will be an invaluable guide for general practitioners, family physicians, family medicine specialists, and other primary care doctors and a useful reference for other primary care health professionals including practice, school and other primary care nurses, medical assistants, paramedics, and community pharmacists. It will also serve as recommended or supplementary reading in undergraduate medical and nursing programmes, in university-based postgraduate courses and master programmes in relevant primary care–related topics, and in vocational training programmes in general practice/family medicine.

This book provides a comprehensive exploration of the role of Digital Health technologies in Primary Care. Discussing the transformative potential of Digital Health solutions and their impact on healthcare delivery within the Primary Care setting, the book offers insights, considers strategies, and shares practical guidance for all Primary Care providers interested in leveraging digital innovations to enhance patient outcomes and optimise care delivery.Key Features:Content specific to and tailored for primary care and family medicineProvides expert opinion and thought leadership on key enablers and hindrances of digital technology within health care systemsIncludes concepts of patient and provider co-design of ideal systems and real-world examples of successful integrations of technologies into patient-centred models of careDelivers the essential knowledge for practitioners and policy makers to develop and implement digital health innovation and service redesignThrough structured description of the spectrum of existing digital innovations, all applicable within and relevant to Primary Care, this timely new guide will support clinicians, innovators, and policy makers to maximise the opportunities and challenges that these technologies present. This guide will also enable future doctors, whatever their career aspirations, to understand the importance of digital innovation and its applications in health systems and patient-centred care.

This book provides a comprehensive exploration of the role of Digital Health technologies in Primary Care. Discussing the transformative potential of Digital Health solutions and their impact on healthcare delivery within the Primary Care setting, the book offers insights, considers strategies, and shares practical guidance for all Primary Care providers interested in leveraging digital innovations to enhance patient outcomes and optimise care delivery.Key Features:Content specific to and tailored for primary care and family medicineProvides expert opinion and thought leadership on key enablers and hindrances of digital technology within health care systemsIncludes concepts of patient and provider co-design of ideal systems and real-world examples of successful integrations of technologies into patient-centred models of careDelivers the essential knowledge for practitioners and policy makers to develop and implement digital health innovation and service redesignThrough structured description of the spectrum of existing digital innovations, all applicable within and relevant to Primary Care, this timely new guide will support clinicians, innovators, and policy makers to maximise the opportunities and challenges that these technologies present. This guide will also enable future doctors, whatever their career aspirations, to understand the importance of digital innovation and its applications in health systems and patient-centred care.

This book provides a quick and accessible resource for managing common issues pertinent to adolescents and young adults in the community, ensuring age-appropriate healthcare delivery to this distinct and vulnerable group with complex and unique needs. Providing high-quality care to this population requires knowledge and understanding of a broad range of considerations, including managing and promoting pubertal development, identity formation, chronic non-communicable diseases, substance use, violence, adolescent pregnancy, sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections, and mental health disorders, all of which are addressed here.Key Features:Focused on the primary areas of concern for family physicians when working with this patient groupProvides a structured approach to addressing the key components of adolescent and young adult health and well-being, including exercise, sleep, and nutrition, and when to referIncludes invaluable guidance to ensure appropriate support for vulnerable sub-populations including those with mental health disorders, child soldiers, and asylum-seeking or trafficked youthPractical and accessible, with an international perspective, this book equips family physicians, general practitioners, and the wider healthcare team to care effectively for adolescents and young adults in primary care settings.

This book provides a quick and accessible resource for managing common issues pertinent to adolescents and young adults in the community, ensuring age-appropriate healthcare delivery to this distinct and vulnerable group with complex and unique needs. Providing high-quality care to this population requires knowledge and understanding of a broad range of considerations, including managing and promoting pubertal development, identity formation, chronic non-communicable diseases, substance use, violence, adolescent pregnancy, sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections, and mental health disorders, all of which are addressed here.Key Features:Focused on the primary areas of concern for family physicians when working with this patient groupProvides a structured approach to addressing the key components of adolescent and young adult health and well-being, including exercise, sleep, and nutrition, and when to referIncludes invaluable guidance to ensure appropriate support for vulnerable sub-populations including those with mental health disorders, child soldiers, and asylum-seeking or trafficked youthPractical and accessible, with an international perspective, this book equips family physicians, general practitioners, and the wider healthcare team to care effectively for adolescents and young adults in primary care settings.

This book explores the current developments and future directions of primary care research, emphasising innovative approaches, methodologies and technologies that are shaping the field. The content examines the scope of primary care research in various contexts, including emerging trends in primary care research and recent innovations such as digitalisation, providing practical insights into the application of advanced research methods in primary care for both new and experienced researchers.Structured to provide step-by-step guidance on various research techniques, addressing the economic evaluations of interventions and identifying areas for innovation in primary care research, readers will acquire a robust understanding of modern primary care research methods, enabling them to contribute significantly to the academic and practical aspects of the discipline.Key Features:Describes the current state of primary care research and makes projections of its future trajectoryDelves into the unique and specific nature of primary care research, discussing its ontological, epistemological and methodological foundationsExplores cutting-edge research theories and methods, including pragmatic trials, complexity research and the implementation of innovative study designsHighlights the importance of the incorporation of digital tools and artificial intelligence in primary care research, addressing both their practical applications and ethical considerationsAs a comprehensive guide for researchers, practitioners and policymakers, highlighting emerging trends and providing practical insights into the application of advanced research methods in primary care, this book is particularly valuable for academics and researchers at universities and institutions around the world, empowering them to conduct impactful research and develop evidence-based practices. It will be an essential tool for those looking to enhance their research skills, foster interdisciplinary collaborations and contribute to the global advancement of primary care.

This book explores the current developments and future directions of primary care research, emphasising innovative approaches, methodologies and technologies that are shaping the field. The content examines the scope of primary care research in various contexts, including emerging trends in primary care research and recent innovations such as digitalisation, providing practical insights into the application of advanced research methods in primary care for both new and experienced researchers.Structured to provide step-by-step guidance on various research techniques, addressing the economic evaluations of interventions and identifying areas for innovation in primary care research, readers will acquire a robust understanding of modern primary care research methods, enabling them to contribute significantly to the academic and practical aspects of the discipline.Key Features:Describes the current state of primary care research and makes projections of its future trajectoryDelves into the unique and specific nature of primary care research, discussing its ontological, epistemological and methodological foundationsExplores cutting-edge research theories and methods, including pragmatic trials, complexity research and the implementation of innovative study designsHighlights the importance of the incorporation of digital tools and artificial intelligence in primary care research, addressing both their practical applications and ethical considerationsAs a comprehensive guide for researchers, practitioners and policymakers, highlighting emerging trends and providing practical insights into the application of advanced research methods in primary care, this book is particularly valuable for academics and researchers at universities and institutions around the world, empowering them to conduct impactful research and develop evidence-based practices. It will be an essential tool for those looking to enhance their research skills, foster interdisciplinary collaborations and contribute to the global advancement of primary care.

This book collects in one place the classic papers from family medicine from around the world. It serves as a showcase of some of the most important ideas and research carried out in family medicine and as an inspiration to family doctors as well as to doctors in training and medical students.

This book analyses the contribution of family medicine to high quality primary healthcare in addressing the challenges faced by the current health system, and provides options for moving forward. It describes the rationale for structuring health systems to be more responsive to the needs of people.

In this time of large-scale global migration at levels unrivalled since World War II, primary care practitioners are providing the first line of care to economic migrants and refugees. In doing so, they face daily the considerable challenges that this heterogenic group brings in terms of communication, culture, and legal status as well as physical and mental health. This accessible book has been carefully crafted to enable primary health care professionals to develop the skills and competencies required to deliver appropriate services to this diverse group of patients and, in turn, to ensure equity in health care for all. The book satisfies the urgent need for a hands-on guide to support and help general practitioners and other members of the primary health care team improve their provision of care not only to immigrants, but to other vulnerable groups and the whole society.

In this time of large-scale global migration at levels unrivalled since World War II, primary care practitioners are providing the first line of care to economic migrants and refugees. In doing so, they face daily the considerable challenges that this heterogenic group brings in terms of communication, culture, and legal status as well as physical and mental health. This accessible book has been carefully crafted to enable primary health care professionals to develop the skills and competencies required to deliver appropriate services to this diverse group of patients and, in turn, to ensure equity in health care for all. The book satisfies the urgent need for a hands-on guide to support and help general practitioners and other members of the primary health care team improve their provision of care not only to immigrants, but to other vulnerable groups and the whole society.

This is the first book to analyze in depth the current causes of shortage of family physicians and the relative weakness of the family practice model in many countries in the Eastern Mediterranean Region.  Focusing on engagement with the private health sector in scaling up family practice, the book explores why primary health care can make the difference and how it can be introduced and strengthened. Comparative experiences from around the world put the EMR in context, while the book also highlights where the EMR is special – in particular, the burden for health care of refugees and displaced persons, and the need of public-private partnerships.

This is the first book to analyze in depth the current causes of shortage of family physicians and the relative weakness of the family practice model in many countries in the Eastern Mediterranean Region.  Focusing on engagement with the private health sector in scaling up family practice, the book explores why primary health care can make the difference and how it can be introduced and strengthened. Comparative experiences from around the world put the EMR in context, while the book also highlights where the EMR is special – in particular, the burden for health care of refugees and displaced persons, and the need of public-private partnerships.

This unique book is the first to bring together primary care experiences from around the world, with emphasis on non-Western regions. Utilising published articles that profile different countries’ primary health care, accompanied by expert commentaries, the book consolidates global primary health care information over the past decade. Profiling the different countries’ primary health care systems and their implementation of primary health care policy, as promoted by WHO and WONCA, the guide provides evidence of how countries and regions can introduce primary health care and family practice to improve their health care infrastructure and delivery. The book is essential reading for policy makers, health educators and academic leaders in primary care and students of global health and provides useful background for those entering or established in clinical family practice around the world.