March 2002 • Volume 8 • Number 3

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Future of Family Medicine project surges forward

With its kickoff in January, the Future of Family Medicine project gained ground toward its goal of developing a strategy to transform and renew the specialty of family practice.

AAFP President-elect James Martin, M.D., of San Antonio, chair of the project leadership committee, said he is pleased with the groundwork that's been laid. "This is a very exciting time for our specialty," he said. "There is tremendous support from all of the organizations within family medicine, and we have extremely qualified leaders staffing our five task forces. This project will result in a new outlook for family practice."

The project is a joint effort of the Academy and AAFP Foundation, American Board of Family Practice, Association of Departments of Family Medicine, Association of Family Practice Residency Directors, North American Primary Care Research Group and the Society of Teachers of Family Medicine.

At a planning session Jan. 25 ­ 26 in Santa Barbara, Calif., members for the project's five task forces were identified.

In addition, the project has contracted with Siegelgale, a strategic brand consulting firm based in New York City, to coordinate market research and develop a future strategy for family practice. National qualitative and quantitative research will explore the specific wants and needs of various groups -- patients, physicians, medical students and residents, payers, government and consumer advocacy groups -- as they relate to family practice. Focus groups are currently under way in Boston, Minneapolis and Los Angeles. "Ultimately, this research will help guide the development of a powerful marketing strategy for the specialty," said Martin. This research will be completed in time for the project leadership committee meeting Aug. 23 ­ 24.

The task force roles and leaders are as follows:

• task force to identify the core attributes of family practice, reform family practice to meet consumer expectations and determine systems of care to be delivered by family practice -- Chair Larry Green, M.D., of Washington, D.C., and Vice Chair Stephen Bogdewic, Ph.D., of Indianapolis;
• task force to determine the training needed for family physicians to deliver core attributes and system services -- Chair John Bucholtz, D.O., of Columbus, Ga., and Vice Chair Samuel Matheny, M.D., of Lexington, Ky.;
• task force to ensure that family physicians deliver core attributes and system services throughout their careers -- Chair Kurt Stange, M.D., Ph.D., of Shaker Heights, Ohio, and Vice Chair Robert Avant, M.D., of Lexington, Ky.;
• task force to determine strategies for communicating the role of family physicians within medicine and health care, as well as to purchasers and consumers -- Chair John Dickinson, of Rochester, N.Y., and Vice Chair Kenneth Evans, M.D., of Lawton, Okla.; and
• task force to determine family practice's leadership role in shaping the future health care delivery system -- Chair Richard Roberts, M.D., J.D., of Madison, Wis., and Vice Chair Pam Snape, M.D., of Greenville, S.C.

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FP Report is published by the AAFP News Department.
Copyright © 2002 by American Academy of Family Physicians.

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