The Future of Family Medicine: A Collaborative Project of the Family Medicine Community

Abstract

BACKGROUND Recognizing fundamental fl aws in the fragmented US health care systems and the potential of an integrative, generalist approach, the leadership of 7 national family medicine organizations initiated the Future of Family Medicine (FFM) project in 2002. The goal of the project was to develop a strategy to transform and renew the discipline of family medicine to meet the needs of patients in a changing health care environment.METHODS A national research study was conducted by independent research fi rms. Interviews and focus groups identifi ed key issues for diverse constituencies, including patients, payers, residents, students, family physicians, and other clinicians. Subsequently, interviews were conducted with nationally representative samples of 9 key constituencies. Based in part on these data, 5 task forces addressed key issues to meet the project goal. A Project Leadership Committee synthesized the task force reports into the report presented here. RESULTSThe project identifi ed core values, a New Model of practice, and a process for development, research, education, partnership, and change with great potential to transform the ability of family medicine to improve the health and health care of the nation. The proposed New Model of practice has the following characteristics: a patient-centered team approach; elimination of barriers to access; advanced information systems, including an electronic health record; redesigned, more functional offi ces; a focus on quality and outcomes; and enhanced practice fi nance. A unifi ed communications strategy will be developed to promote the New Model of family medicine to multiple audiences. The study concluded that the discipline needs to oversee the training of family physicians who are committed to excellence, steeped in the core values of the discipline, competent to provide family medicine's basket of services within the New Model, and capable of adapting to varying patient needs and changing care technologies. Family medicine education must continue to include training in maternity care, the care of hospitalized patients, community and population health, and culturally effective and profi cient care. A comprehensive lifelong learning program for each family physician will support continuous personal, professional, and clinical practice assessment and improvement.Ultimately, systemwide changes will be needed to ensure high-quality health care for all Americans. Such changes include taking steps to ensure that every American has a personal medical home, promoting the use and reporting Leawood, Kan; Kurt C. Stange, MD, PhD, Department of Family Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio; and Cynthia W. Weber, MA, Association of Family Practice Residency Program Directors, Leawood, Kan.* FFM Executive Editorial Team: Thomas M. Gorey, JD, Policy Planning Associates, Inc, Crystal Lake, Ill; Norman B. Kahn, Jr, MD, American Academy of Family Physicians, Leawood, Kan; Sarah Thomas, American Academy of Family Physicians, Leawood, K...

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