In his editorial on the future of family medicine, Stephen Spann1 clearly and concisely outlined the threats to family practice and the changes needed in our practice model. I believe there is not much disagreement with the need for change. The tragedy is that we have developed no clear accountability or plan to move ahead. When are we going to see action and by what entity within family practice? Is there any sense of urgency?
William J. Kane, MD
Intecardia
Chapel Hill, North Carolina
- Spann SJ. The future of family medicine: clinical practice. J Fam Pract 2001; 50:584-85.
Dr Spann responded as follows:
Dr Kane has cut to the chase of the matter: The question facing our specialty is not “What do we need to do to redesign family practice?” but “How are we going to make it happen?” Bringing together the technology and expertise that are needed to develop turnkey systems that can be readily and affordably implemented in small group family practices will require a substantial capital investment, as well as a new and innovative organizational and business structure. This will require extraordinary vision, creativity, and risk-taking: It will require extraordinary leadership.
It is time that we accept that the platform is burning: Maintaining the status quo is no longer an option. The family of family medicine—the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American Board of Family Practice, the Society of Teachers of Family Medicine, the North Atlantic Primary Care Research Group, the Association of Departments of Family Medicine, and the Association of Family Practice Residency Directors—needs to come together to support these efforts. Practicing family physicians need to articulate their eagerness to transform their practices by becoming early adopters of these technologies and services as they are made readily available. Academic departments of family medicine need to commit to providing ongoing research and development to support these innovations. New alliances need to be developed with industry and capital investors to create an acceptable business model and plan. The time for action is now. We cannot afford to wait any longer.
Stephen J. Spann, MD
Baylor College of Medicine