Family practice development strategies : report on the third WHO Meeting of the Expert Network, Istanbul, Turkey, 23-25 February 1997

Abstract

The Expert Network on Family Practice Development Strategies was established to give its participants, who come from countries that are in the process of establishing or strengthening General Practice/Family Medicine (‎GP/FM)‎, the opportunity to exchange experiences and learn from each other. Experts from 13 countries participated in the Third Meeting (‎Istanbul, 23-25 February 1997)‎, where the integration of newly trained or retrained family physicians into the health care system was discussed. Among the obstacles to the successful integration of (‎re)‎trained physicians were the lack of proper incentives for retraining, the workload of practicing physicians and resistance by specialists. The attitudes of decision-makers, the financing mechanisms and the prevailing traditions were also mentioned. On the other hand, integration was facilitated by high standards of training and by clearly identified competencies of GP. The motivation of GPs and supportive policies related to professional status, job satisfaction and income were important. The methodology of Needs and Outcomes Assessment in Primary Health Care was considered as a means to strengthen the community orientation and the range of services provided by GP/FM