Afr J Prim Health Care Fam Med. 2025 Mar 12;17(1):e1-e5. doi: 10.4102/phcfm.v17i1.4826.

ABSTRACT

Mali is currently experiencing a polycrisis, characterised by the interplay of growing socio-political insecurity, massive population displacements and recurrent tensions in the functioning of the health system and the provision of care. In this context, the multidisciplinary teams of University Community Health Centres (CSCoM-Us), primary health care facilities, have expressed the desire to strengthen their skills to better meet the needs of the internally displaced persons who frequent their facilities. To address this demand, training workshops were co-constructed by a team of family physicians (FPs), combining the experiential knowledge of local teams with the expertise of partners from the Université de Sherbrooke. A Training of Trainer (ToT) programme, consisting of training provided by central-level trainers to local-level practitioners, was developed and deployed. Five priorities were identified by local partners: continuity of care, maternal health, gender-based violence, mental health and working with a language barrier. From 2022 to 2023, this training was implemented in Mali's seven CSCOM-Us, reaching 277 health professionals in five regions of the country. The outcomes include increased awareness of the challenges faced by internally displaced persons and strengthening local capabilities. This short report highlights the strategic role and leadership played by FP in improving the population's health, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, through their versatility and community-oriented, holistic and patient-centred approach.

PMID:40171690 | PMC:PMC11966657 | DOI:10.4102/phcfm.v17i1.4826

Can Med Educ J. 2025 Feb 28;16(1):65-70. doi: 10.36834/cmej.78275. eCollection 2025 Feb.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: In response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada Calls to Action 22 to 24 around health, the Department of Family Medicine at the University of Calgary piloted a novel Indigenous Health Longitudinal Elective (IHLE) to give first year residents longitudinal experiences in Indigenous healthcare environments. The purpose of this evaluation was to capture the successful qualities and identify areas for improvements to ensure feasibility of the IHLE pilot program.

METHODS: Between November 2022 and April 2023, semi-structured interviews were completed with seven participants of the IHLE and included a mix of residents, preceptors, and clinic staff members. Qualitative thematic analysis was used to gain an in-depth understanding of the IHLE program experiences of all participants.

RESULTS: Benefits of the IHLE program include a deeper understanding of the values and priorities critical to working in healthcare with Indigenous peoples in Southern Alberta. Areas for improvement include clarity around IHLE program structure; clearly defining roles and responsibilities for preceptors; increased opportunities for reciprocity and relationality; and a deeper self-reflection process.

CONCLUSION: Recommendations for future iterations of the IHLE include ensuring preceptors are trained and engaged, while providing residents more opportunities for relationality and peer debriefing. Results from this study may also help inform future Indigenous health programming in family medicine.

PMID:40135127 | PMC:PMC11931184 | DOI:10.36834/cmej.78275

J Am Board Fam Med. 2024 Nov;37(Supplement2):S85-S91. doi: 10.3122/jabfm.2024.240118R1.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Challenges persist in securing substantial funding for the Family Medicine (FM) research enterprise, particularly from major sources like the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Analyses from a decade ago revealed stagnant funding levels, prompting further investigation into the subsequent years.

METHODS: To elucidate funding trends over the most recent decade, the NIH RePORTER database was queried for grants awarded to departments identified as "Family Medicine" from 2014 to 2023. Data encompassed awards from various federal agencies, predominantly including the US National Institutes of Health and others. We also explored the relationship between funding success and multidisciplinarity, examining whether Departments of FM (DFMs) incorporating diverse disciplines in their names exhibited higher chances of securing research funding.

RESULTS: The investigation identified 73 funded DFMs in the NIH RePORTER database out of a total of 131 DFMs at Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) accredited schools. Despite notable increases in both the total funding and percentage of funding allocated to DFMs over the decade, FM still accounted for less than 1% of total NIH awards. Multidisciplinary departments displayed a higher likelihood of securing research funding compared with their counterparts identified solely as DFMs.

DISCUSSION: While the study reveals a mild upward trend in funding levels for DFMs, challenges persist in securing a more substantial share of federal research funding. Despite limitations, including the exclusion of non-NIH funding sources, the study provides valuable insights into the current state of federal funding for Family Medicine research, urging sustained efforts for further progress in the field.

PMID:40127949 | DOI:10.3122/jabfm.2024.240118R1