World Family Doctor Day
World Family Doctor Day(www.globalfamilydoctor.com), held every year on May 19, is a day to highlight the role and contributions of family doctors in health care systems around the world. The comprehensiveness of family medicine makes it the ideal specialty for a career that includes global health.
The first World Family Doctor Day was declared by the World Organization of Family Doctors (WONCA) in 2010. It has gained momentum globally each year, with activities, meetings, and celebrations planned to:
- Bring attention to the contributions of family doctors globally;
- Recognize family doctors;
- Increase the morale of family doctors, and;
- Highlight important issues relating to family doctors and the work they perform in supporting health care for people around the world.
Planning an event on your campus
Start off by watching this special edition of Family Medicine On Air(plus.google.com), where Kyle Hoedebecke, MD, co-founder of the North American young doctors' movement Polaris, talks about family medicine's importance to global health.
Check out the other AAFP global health resources your FMIG can use to host an event for World Family Doctor Day.