National Primary Care Week Celebrates 10th Anniversary

Main Category: Primary Care / General Practice
Article Date: 06 Oct 2008 - 11:00 PDT

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Thousands of health profession students and health care providers will celebrate the 10th Annual National Primary Care Week (NPCW), October 6-10, 2008. This year, the American Medical Student Association (AMSA), the nation's largest, independent medical student organization, and the Student Osteopathic Medical Association (SOMA) will be working in conjunction with National Health Service Corps Ambassadors, local National Health Centers, health organizations and various professionals to highlight the importance of primary care.

According to a study in last month's Journal of the American Medical Association, only two percent of graduating medical students plan to become primary care internists.

NPCW hopes to improve health professional students' understanding of primary care, highlight the many career options in primary care, demonstrate the importance of collaboration between practitioners and their communities, encourage students to participate in community service events and introduce medical students to the political process.

Primary care providers act as the central point of contact for patients in the health care system, providing "a medical home," which has been shown to result in better care and reduced health care costs. Primary care practitioners provide both preventive care and treatment for a variety of medical and mental health conditions; they also act as liaisons between specialists and patients, and between patients and communities.

"As the next generation of physicians, we have a duty to ensure that our patients receive the best care possible," says Dr. Brian Hurley, AMSA's national president. "All evidence points to the central role of primary care practitioners in the provision of best care. Over the last decade, AMSA's NPCW has been highly successful at highlighting the importance of primary care for the health of this nation."

NPCW was named to the 2006 Associations Advance America Honor Roll, a national award sponsored by the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) that recognizes innovative projects that benefit and advance society. Partner organizations include the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, American College of Physicians, Physicians for a National Health Program, Health Resources and Services Administration, the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion and United States Department of Health and Human Services.

To learn more about National Primary Care Week, visit http://www.amsa.org/npcw/.

About the American Medical Student Association

The American Medical Student Association (AMSA), with more than a half-century history of medical student activism, is the oldest and largest independent association of physicians-in-training in the United States. Founded in 1950, AMSA is a student-governed, non-profit organization committed to representing the concerns of physicians-in-training. With more than 67,000 members, including medical and premedical students, residents and practicing physicians, AMSA is committed to improving medical training as well as advancing the profession of medicine. AMSA focuses on four strategic priorities, including advocating for quality, affordable health care for all, global health equity, enriching medicine through diversity and professional integrity, development and student well being. To learn more about AMSA, our strategic priorities, or joining the organization, please visit us online at http://www.amsa.org.

American Medical Student Association