As the year draws to a close, we bring you highlights that reflect the forward momentum of family medicine worldwide. In this issue, WONCA President A/Prof Karen Flegg outlines her vision for the future of family medicine in her monthly message, and we spotlight the WONCA Research Mentorship Program, which is building connections to strengthen family medicine research globally. You’ll also find updates on upcoming training opportunities, webinars, and more!
FROM THE PRESIDENT: At the WONCA Europe conference in Dublin, WONCA President A/Prof Karen Flegg shared a forward-thinking vision for family medicine, outlining five key priorities for shaping the future of family medicine. Her insights, drawn from global conversations and local realities, offer a roadmap for the future. Discover all five priorities in her monthly column here.
WORLD FAMILY DOCTOR DAY 2025: Every year on 19 May, WONCA marks World Family Doctor Day, celebrating the critical role Family Doctors play in improving health worldwide. This annual event highlights the importance of Family Medicine in providing accessible, comprehensive, and compassionate care. In 2025, we focus on Mental Wellbeing, emphasizing the essential contributions of Family Doctors to supporting healthier minds and communities. Stay tuned for more details on this year’s theme and activities as we prepare to honor Family Medicine’s global impact. Save the date!
E-TRAINING IN GERONTOLOGY AND GERIATRICS: Following its success in Africa, the Middle East, and Europe, the internationally acclaimed IAGG e-TRIGGER course is coming to the Asia-Oceania region in January 2025. This 12-month program, a collaboration between WONCA and the International Association of Gerontology and Geriatrics, offers cutting-edge training in gerontology and geriatrics designed to address regional challenges.
Discounts: WONCA is pleased to offer exclusive discounts and scholarships for the upcoming Asia-Oceania e-TRIGGER course:
90% Discount: Available to the first 10 WONCA direct members who register. To qualify, participants must also join the Special Interest Group on Ageing & Health (SIG)—membership is free.
LMIC Scholarships: Participants from Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs) and trainees are encouraged to apply for scholarships, reducing fees to as low as 50–150 CHF, depending on their country.
FROM THE HEADQUARTERS: WONCA’s Collaborative Fund, launched in 2023, aimed to transform innovative ideas into actionable solutions. While it inspired creativity, with projects like the Family Violence Project and the Digital Health Project, crowdfunding proved a major challenge, writes WONCA CEO, Dr Harris Lygidakis. Read the article here.
A New Path Forward: As we decide to end the Collaborative Fund, its legacy continues. Both projects have evolved into comprehensive proposals, and we are now seeking sponsors to bring them to life. In December, WONCA will announce a new initiative to provide the sustained support necessary for impactful innovation in family medicine.
SIG ON FAMILY VIOLENCE – GENERAL MEETING: WONCA’s Special Interest Group on Family Violence is celebrating its 10th anniversary and invites members to join two general meetings scheduled at different times to accommodate various time zones. These meetings will provide updates on the SIG’s activities, opportunities for involvement, and provide a platform for your questions and feedback. The meetings are being held during the 16 Days of Activism to End Family Violence. Please join the session that best suits your schedule. There is no registration required.
RESEARCH MENTORS WANTED: The WONCA Research Mentorship Program is now accepting applications for mentors. This program connects experienced researchers with mentees, fostering skills, knowledge, and collaboration in family medicine research worldwide. If you’re an experienced researcher eager to share your expertise and guide emerging professionals, this is your chance to make an impact. Applications close soon.
IN MEMORIAM: Dr Maja Racic, a pioneer in family medicine and dedicated mentor, passed away on October 28, 2024. Her tireless work advanced healthcare in Bosnia and Herzegovina and inspired countless lives globally. Her legacy of compassion and excellence will endure. Read more about her remarkable life and achievements. Full obituary.
WONCA WEBINARS
SIGPA WEBINAR WITH KAREN FLEGG: WONCA’s Special Interest Group on Policy Advocacy (SIGPA) invites you to a webinar with WONCA President A/Prof Karen Flegg. Drawing on her extensive international experience, Karen will discuss her leadership approach: networking, trusting others, and the art of delegation. Two sessions are available to accommodate time zones, featuring live interpretation in Mandarin and Spanish. Tuesday, 3 December, 2024
GLOBAL RURAL HEALTH: In advance of next year’s Global Rural Health Summit, taking place on 4 April in Bengaluru, India, WONCA’s Working Party on Rural Practice will host an engaging pre-summit webinar to explore five sub-themes including workforce dynamics, healthcare delivery, and the impact of climate change on rural health. Join us on 30 November at 2:30 PM UTC to gain insights from a wide range of international rural family doctors. Register here.
ADVANCING FAMILY MEDICINE EDUCATION IN SOUTH ASIA: Missed the webinar “Advocating for Family Medicine Education: Learning from Pioneers”? Recorded on Sunday, 24th November, this inspiring session features insights from South Asia’s leaders in family medicine, including Prof. Antoinette Perera (Sri Lanka), Dr. Waris Qidwai (Pakistan), and Dr. Raman Kumar (India). Watch here.
CYBERXFM 2: Brought to you by WONCA’s Young Doctors’ Movement and the WONCA Working Party on Ethics & Professionalism, this webinar explores the ethical complexities of managing Electronic Health Records while offering strategies for protecting patient data. Watch here.
OTHER WEBINARS
PATIENT SAFETY RIGHTS CHARTER: Join the World Patient Alliance on 5th December 2024 at 09:00 ET (14:00 UTC) for an webinar on the globally endorsed Patient Safety Rights Charter. For family doctors and primary care professionals, this webinar is an essential opportunity to explore how the Charter aligns with family medicine’s patient-centred care principles. Register here.
Further ahead… WONCA Europe Conference: Paris, France. 29 June – 3 July, 2026. 9th WONCA Africa Region Conference: Gaborone, Botswana. 9 – 11 September 2026.
