The contribution of family physicians to district health services: a national position paper for South Africa

Abstract

This position paper on Family Medicine in South Africa was written for the National Department of Health in 2014 for the purposes of delivering a comprehensive assessment of the contribution that family physicians could make to the health system, and the issues that need to be addressed in order to realise this contribution. The paper mainly addresses issues in the public sector. It outlines the policy environment, health and health services context, the contribution of family physicians, their role in relationship to other healthcare workers, the initial evidence of their impact, the implications for posts and career pathways and the current state of training programmes, as well as providing key recommendations. The paper represents the viewpoint of the South African Academy of Family Physicians and the College of Family Physicians of South Africa, and attempts to speak with one voice on the current situation and need for future action.