Strengthening learning and research in health equity - opportunities for university departments of primary health care and general practice

Aust J Prim Health. 2022 Nov 8. doi: 10.1071/PY22146. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTThis paper explores the roles of university departments of primary health care (PHC) and general practice in promoting health equity. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has exposed long-standing health and workforce inequities in Australia, as elsewhere. Addressing these inequities will require wide-ranging responses particularly focussed on PHC and the PHC workforce. Well-resourced university departments of PHC and general practice have potential to lead research informing PHC transformation and strategies to reduce health inequity, as well as to train and inspire a future PHC workforce. Examples from such academic departments in Australia and internationally are briefly described, and the experience of a recently established department of general practice is considered, in order to recommend enablers including institutional support, curriculum design, and partnerships with communities and between institutions. Support for community-based clinical schools, practice-based research networks and strengthening PHC research capacity will enable the PHC and general practice academy to engage more effectively in addressing health inequity.PMID:36343335 | DOI:10.1071/PY22146

Source: Primary Care - November 7, 2022 Category: Primary Care Authors: Jennifer Reath Phyllis Lau Winston Lo Steven Trankle Miriam Brooks Yasin Shahab Penelope Abbott Source Type: research