International Family Medicine
Encyclopedia
International Family Medicine physicians are Family Physicians that specialize in working with under served populations in resource poor environments, often in developing nations. These physicians must face the challenge of diagnosing patients without advanced laboratory or imaging techniques. Because of limited access to medicines and specialists International Family Medicine physicians must have a flexible treatment strategies and a broad scope of practice.
, MD was one of the earliest full time American medical missionaries in 1834. He opened an ophthalmology hospital in China. Many physicians have worked in developing nations over the years. Surgeons and primary car physicians alike have donated their time or their entire lives to needy populations in the world. Modern Organizations such as Doctors Without Borders (Médecins Sans Frontières
) organize physicians from around the world to provide disaster medicine
and relief work during times of extreme need or natural disasters.
Interest in international medicine among medical students and residents has been increasing. Many medical schools and residencies are offering global health tracks. Family Medicine
physicians, because of their broad scope, are particularly well suited for practicing in areas where specialists are not readily available. For those family physicians that desired full time careers in international medicine would generally begin their work immediately after residency. Because of the varied conditions of the developing world versus the training environment there is often a very steep learning curve for Western trained family physicians.
In response to improving the preparedness for American family physicians International Family Medicine Fellowships have emerged recently. These fellowships aim to better prepare Family Medicine graduates for the challenges that they will face overseas. The need for physicians well suited for international challenges is greatly needed, especially in areas with large refugee populations.
, pediatrics
, adult medicine, orthopedics
, outpatient and inpatient care
. International Family Medicine physicians must also manage tropical medicine
, surgery
, anesthesia
, burn care, HIV
, and even dentistry
.
In addition to the medical challenges, International Family Medicine physicians must often act as hospital administrators as well. The issues faced often range from obtaining local pharmaceuticals and supplies to repairing broken medical equipment. Engaging the public health
issues of communities relating to sanitation and clean water, is yet another task that falls on the wide shoulders of the physician. Cultural differences and corrupt governments also add impediments to the delivery of healthcare by International Family Medicine physicians.
History
Peter ParkerPeter Parker (physician)
Peter Parker was an American physician and a missionary who introduced Western medical techniques into Qing Dynasty China. It was said that Parker "opened China to the gospel at the point of a lancet."- Early life :...
, MD was one of the earliest full time American medical missionaries in 1834. He opened an ophthalmology hospital in China. Many physicians have worked in developing nations over the years. Surgeons and primary car physicians alike have donated their time or their entire lives to needy populations in the world. Modern Organizations such as Doctors Without Borders (Médecins Sans Frontières
Médecins Sans Frontières
' , or Doctors Without Borders, is a secular humanitarian-aid non-governmental organization best known for its projects in war-torn regions and developing countries facing endemic diseases. Its headquarters are in Geneva, Switzerland...
) organize physicians from around the world to provide disaster medicine
Disaster medicine
Disaster medicine is the area of physician medical specialization serving the dual areas of providing medical care to disaster survivors and providing medically related disaster preparation, disaster planning, disaster response and disaster recovery leadership throughout the disaster life cycle...
and relief work during times of extreme need or natural disasters.
Interest in international medicine among medical students and residents has been increasing. Many medical schools and residencies are offering global health tracks. Family Medicine
Family medicine
Family medicine is a medical specialty devoted to comprehensive health care for people of all ages. It is a division of primary care that provides continuing and comprehensive health care for the individual and family across all ages, sexes, diseases, and parts of the body...
physicians, because of their broad scope, are particularly well suited for practicing in areas where specialists are not readily available. For those family physicians that desired full time careers in international medicine would generally begin their work immediately after residency. Because of the varied conditions of the developing world versus the training environment there is often a very steep learning curve for Western trained family physicians.
In response to improving the preparedness for American family physicians International Family Medicine Fellowships have emerged recently. These fellowships aim to better prepare Family Medicine graduates for the challenges that they will face overseas. The need for physicians well suited for international challenges is greatly needed, especially in areas with large refugee populations.
Scope of Practice
Family physicians that practice in the United States have the broadest scope of all of the specialties. Family physicians frequently treat illnesses related to obstetricsObstetrics
Obstetrics is the medical specialty dealing with the care of all women's reproductive tracts and their children during pregnancy , childbirth and the postnatal period...
, pediatrics
Pediatrics
Pediatrics or paediatrics is the branch of medicine that deals with the medical care of infants, children, and adolescents. A medical practitioner who specializes in this area is known as a pediatrician or paediatrician...
, adult medicine, orthopedics
Orthopedics
Orthopedics is the study of the musculoskeletal system. The Greek word 'ortho' means straight or correct and 'pedics' comes from the Greek 'pais' meaning children. For many centuries, orthopedists have been involved in the treatment of crippled children...
, outpatient and inpatient care
Inpatient care
Inpatient care is the care of patients whose condition requires admission to a hospital. Progress in modern medicine and the advent of comprehensive out-patient clinics ensure that patients are only admitted to a hospital when they are extremely ill or are have severe physical...
. International Family Medicine physicians must also manage tropical medicine
Tropical medicine
Tropical medicine is the branch of medicine that deals with health problems that occur uniquely, are more widespread, or prove more difficult to control in tropical and subtropical regions....
, surgery
Surgery
Surgery is an ancient medical specialty that uses operative manual and instrumental techniques on a patient to investigate and/or treat a pathological condition such as disease or injury, or to help improve bodily function or appearance.An act of performing surgery may be called a surgical...
, anesthesia
Anesthesia
Anesthesia, or anaesthesia , traditionally meant the condition of having sensation blocked or temporarily taken away...
, burn care, HIV
HIV
Human immunodeficiency virus is a lentivirus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome , a condition in humans in which progressive failure of the immune system allows life-threatening opportunistic infections and cancers to thrive...
, and even dentistry
Dentistry
Dentistry is the branch of medicine that is involved in the study, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases, disorders and conditions of the oral cavity, maxillofacial area and the adjacent and associated structures and their impact on the human body. Dentistry is widely considered...
.
In addition to the medical challenges, International Family Medicine physicians must often act as hospital administrators as well. The issues faced often range from obtaining local pharmaceuticals and supplies to repairing broken medical equipment. Engaging the public health
Public health
Public health is "the science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life and promoting health through the organized efforts and informed choices of society, organizations, public and private, communities and individuals" . It is concerned with threats to health based on population health...
issues of communities relating to sanitation and clean water, is yet another task that falls on the wide shoulders of the physician. Cultural differences and corrupt governments also add impediments to the delivery of healthcare by International Family Medicine physicians.