WONCA Europe Definition - from which the 6
categories of Core competencies were refined by EURACT (the
education network organisation of WONCA Europe).
General
practice
1. Is
normally the point of first medical contact within the healthcare
system*, providing open and unlimited access to its users, dealing
with all health problems regardless of the age, sex or any other
characteristic of the person concerned
2. Makes
efficient use of healthcare resources through coordinating care,
working with other professionals in the primary care setting and by
managing the interface with other specialties. It also means taking
on an advocacy role for the patient when needed
3.
Develops a person-centred approach, orientated to individuals,
their family and their community
4. Has a
unique consultation process, which establishes a relationship over
time, through effective communication between doctor and
patient
5. Is
responsible for the provision of longitudinal continuity of care as
determined by the needs of the patient
6. Has a
specific decision-making process determined by the prevalence and
incidence of illness in the community
7. Manages
simultaneously both the acute and chronic health problems of
individual patients
8. Manages
illness that presents in an undifferentiated way at an early stage
in its development, some of which may require urgent
intervention
9.
Promotes health and wellbeing both by appropriate and effective
intervention
10. Has a
specific responsibility for the health of the
community
11. Deals
with health problems in their physical, psychological, social,
cultural and existential dimensions.
* under the self-care strategy,
general practice may not be the first point of contact with the
healthcare system
1. The consultation
