Letters to the Editor

South Africa has joined a global initiative for Family Medicine advocacy

Klaus von Pressentin, Kyle Hoedebecke, Luís Pinho-Costa
South African Family Practice | Vol 58, No 1 : January/February| a4313 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/safp.v58i1.4313 | ©
Submitted: 22 June 2015 | Published: 01 January 2016

About the author(s)

Klaus von Pressentin, Division Family Medicine and Primary Care, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
Kyle Hoedebecke, World Organization of Family Doctors (WONCA) Polaris, Fort Bragg, North Carolina and Robinson Health Clinic, Department of Family Medicine, Fort Bragg, North Carolina, United States
Luís Pinho-Costa, Fânzeres Family Health Unit, Gondomar, Portugal

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Abstract

The international #1WordforFamilyMedicine initiative serves to explore the identity of family physicians and allows the international Family Medicine community to collaborate on advocating the discipline. South African family physicians provided 42 responses via a social media and online survey. Two “word cloud” images were created based on two icons recognised as being truly South African around the world – the national flag and former president Nelson Mandela. The #1WorldforFamilyMedicine initiative was promoted by the World Organization of Family Doctors across the globe to help celebrate World Family Doctor Day on 19 May 2015. To date, over 70 images have been created in 50 different countries on six continents. The images represent family physicians’ love for their profession and the community they serve. It is hoped that this initiative will help to inspire current and future Family Medicine and primary care providers.

Keywords

Family medicine; general practice; advocacy

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