Newsletter: September 2020

As the latest waves of the COVID-19 pandemic continue to develop across our world many professionals are engaged in research on sources, spread, treatments, longer-term impacts on health and a range of other related issues. Journals are reporting massive increases in submitted articles and research projects.

Alors que les dernières vagues de la pandémie de COVID-19 continuent de se développer dans le monde entier, de nombreux professionnels sont engagés dans la recherche des sources, de la propagation, de traitements, des impacts à long terme sur la santé et de toute une série d'autres questions connexes.

A medida que se continúan sucediendo las últimas oleadas de la pandemia de COVID-19 en todo el mundo, muchos profesionales están investigando acerca de su origen, las condiciones para frenar su propagación, los tratamientos, los impactos a largo plazo en la salud y una gran variedad de todos los problemas relacionados.

随着最新一波的新冠肺炎(COVID – 19) 全球大流行继续在世界各地蔓延，各界专业人员正埋首各样的研究，包括病毒来源、传播、治疗、对健康的长期影响，以及其他相关的问题。医学期刊收到大量来自各方的文章和研究项目

Greetings once more. Normal life has yet to resume in most parts of the world, and family doctors continue their vital role as front line workers. We continue to think of, and pray for, all primary care health professionals currently engaged in COVID-19 activities. More on WONCA webinars, WONCA events and the WONCA Annual report.

Karen Flegg writes: This edition of WONCA News is the 100th edition that I have produced as WONCA editor. In May, it was my 10 year anniversary as the 9th WONCA editor having taken over from Dr Mark Rivo, at the 2010 World Council meeting held at the time of the world conference in Cancun, Mexico.

Editor's pick photos are part of my reflection on a decade as WONCA Editor. Most photos are my own, taken at various conferences between 2010 and 2019. They are favourites for various reasons - some I think are great photos, some are of WONCA leaders captured offguard, and some are from family doctors I've interviewed in the last decade. All tell a story of the WONCA family.

Editor's pick photos are part of my reflection on a decade as WONCA Editor. Most photos are my own, taken at various conferences between 2010 and 2019. They are favourites for various reasons - some I think are great photos, some are of WONCA leaders captured offguard, and some are from family doctors I've interviewed in the last decade. All tell a story of the WONCA family.

Dr John Wynn-Jones writes on Courage. During this dreadful pandemic there have been many acts of courage and fortitude shown by health care workers. Despite the personal risks, many of you have continued to practice, often without adequate PPE, knowing that you and sometimes your loved ones are at risk.

World Patient Safety Day (WPSD) 2020 will be observed across the world on 17 September. WHO will be launching a global campaign for World Patient Safety Day 2020 to emphasize the importance of health worker safety as a priority for patient safety.

The following is a short version of this report to be published in the 2020 WONCA Annual report. WHO liaison person, Viviana Martinez-Bianchi writes:

The Besrour Centre for Global Family Medicine (Centre) at the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC) invites you to participate at the Virtual 2020 Family Medicine Forum taking place Wednesday, November 4 to Saturday, November 7, 2020.

World Patient Safety Day (WPSD) 2020 will be observed across the world on 17 September. WHO will be launching a global campaign for World Patient Safety Day 2020 to emphasize the importance of health worker safety as a priority for patient safety.

Prof Val Wass, Chair WONCA Working Party on Education writes on the latest open access items in Education for Primary Care.

Please join us for the Virtual AfroPHC Workshop to be held 4-7pm over three days 9th-11th September 2020. The theme is “Building Teamwork for PHC in Africa”. It is intended to be a truly interactive African experience that is free and open to anyone interested in building PHC in Africa. Please see more details and register for the AfroPHC Virtual Workshop.

The Besrour Centre for Global Family Medicine (Centre) at the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC) invites you to participate at the Virtual 2020 Family Medicine Forum taking place Wednesday, November 4 to Saturday, November 7, 2020.