ID-5184 Wonca Abstracts supplement A-K 13-10-23 - Flipbook - Page 346
WONCA 2023 Supplement 1: WONCA 2023 abstracts (A–K)
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General practitioners’ needs assessment in rural and
remote areas
Dr Pratyush Kumar1
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WONCA Rural South Asia, 2Academy of Family Physicians of India, 3Rural WONCA
Background
Primary healthcare is the key to achieving universal health coverage and health for all. The role of the
general practitioner is now more important than ever, especially in rural and remote areas. Current
data available may not be reflective of rural ground realities. Data gaps are serious concern in
formulating health policies for rural communities. ‘Needs assessment’ is essential in order to develop
context-specific plans for rural and remote areas that reflect clinical priorities, rural community needs,
education needs, patient-centred care and effective and efficient utilisation of resources.
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Materials and methods
A blend of qualitative and quantitative research helped to identify the education gaps of general
practitioners in the rural areas of Bihar, India. Our in-depth methodology assessed perceived needs
in order to inform education models that will engage physicians with rural communities and drive
changes in clinical practice. Assessment and understanding of social determinants of health to provide
personalised healthcare services acceptable to the community was addressed. The available rural
health workforce was interviewed.
Results
Key findings included equitable health workforce recruitment, a strong need for education for chronic
diseases such as mental health, skin problems, non-communicable diseases and availability of pointof-care diagnostics. Continuing medical education and skills workshops to update GPs.
To promote rural recruitment of doctors, key areas identified were job security, payment incentives,
family support and safe environment.
Conclusion
‘Needs assessment’ gives an insight into barriers, interest and necessity related to clinical skills
and education, rural policy, recruitment and retention in rural and remote areas and the solutions to
strengthen rural healthcare.
Key words
family medicine, WONCA, general practice, needs assessment, primary care, primary healthcare.
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