New Report: Achieving SDGs with innovative primary care education

The report, Achieving Universal Health Coverage: technology for innovative primary care education, was officially released at the 21st WONCA World Conference of Family Doctors in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil by WONCA and iheed.

In support of meeting Sustainable Development Goal 3 through the expansion and strengthening of primary health care globally, WONCA and iheed are delighted to announce the release of the report Achieving Universal Health Coverage: technology for innovative primary care education. We recognise that strong primary health care systems are essential for achieving universal health coverage. Noting the potential of information and communications technology (ICT) to increase primary health care capacity, WONCA partnered with iheed to survey the landscape. This report presents the findings from this collaboration, including input from over 40 global experts in primary health care, family medicine, medical education, global development and technology.

Professor Michael Kidd, WONCA President, said: “"Family doctors are an essential component of each nation’s health system, as we seek to deliver excellent integrated people-centred care to all people, and so ensure universal health coverage. This report highlights the critical importance of the education of the people who make up the primary health care workforce in each nation, and the role that digital technology can play in ensuring access to educational resources.”

Dr Tom O’ Callaghan, CEO of iheed, said: “In a world with ever escalating healthcare costs challenging the health budgets of even the richest nations, where years of investment in developing economies healthcare systems have often struggled to have impact and keep pace with escalating healthcare challenges, there have to be new innovative approaches.”

“This report presents findings on how ICT can quickly improve family medicine and primary health care capacity. In particular, it highlights how ICT can be used to enhance and improve education and training of family medicine and primary health care professionals as part of a team.”

In follow up to the release of the report, an interactive workshop was held by iheed on Tuesday November 2nd, at the 21st WONCA World Conference of Family Doctors to present results from the report and gather input from WONCA delegates.
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