6th Annual National Primary Care Week Sets Record Among Health Professional Students

Main Category: Public Health
Also Included In: Primary Care / General Practice
Article Date: 22 Oct 2004 - 0:00 PDT

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The American Medical Student Association (AMSA), the nation's largest, independent medical student organization, today announces National Primary Care Week (NPCW), an annual campaign funded by the Bureau of Health Professions' Division of National Health Service Corps and Division of Medicine and Dentistry, which focuses on gaining attention of health professional students on the importance of primary care. With over 230 student coordinators, this is the largest NPCW in the event's six-year history.

This year's NPCW theme is "Caring for the Underserved: Careers in Community Health," and will take place October 17-23, 2004. The program seeks to build on Healthy People 2010-a challenge issued by the U.S. Surgeon General for individuals, communities and health professionals to take specific steps to improve the country's health.

According to a recent editorial in American Family Physician, there is still a shortage of primary care physicians and "we [United States] find ourselves behind nearly all of our nation's industrialized peers with regard to health outcomes." For the U.S. health care system to improve, AMSA believes that 50 percent of the nation's medical school graduates should be choosing primary care careers, including family medicine, general internal medicine and pediatrics. In addition, AMSA supports loan-repayment programs for those health care providers practicing in primary care.

NPCW will host an event on Thursday, October 21, 2004 at The George Washington University. Dr. Gloria WilderBrathwaite, medical director of the Children's Health Project of D.C., will discuss the role of the primary care provider as an advocate in their community. The event will be in Ross Hall, which is located at 2300 Eye Street, NW (right next to Foggy Bottom Metro), room 101, from 12-1 PM. The event is being coordinated by George Washington University and the DC Area Health Education Center.

NPCW student coordinators (including medical, dental, nursing, public health and other health professions students) will be hosting local events throughout the country, including guest lectures on access to care, the future of primary care and the role of interdisciplinary health care teams, and panel discussions with nurse practitioners, physician assistants, dentists and allied health professionals.

Many schools are hosting community health fairs and community service events at local community health centers, homeless shelters, schools and hospitals. AMSA will present awards to those schools whose weekly events best fit the theme and goals of NPCW.

"A strong primary care provider workforce is needed to ensure a healthy national health care system," says Brian Palmer, M.D., M.S., M.P.H., AMSA national president. "NPCW provides the ideal opportunity for students early in their health profession training to become involved with or to enhance their interest in primary care."

To find out about NPCW events in your area, please visit:
<http://www.amsa.org/programs/npcw/npcw.cfm>.

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 nearly 50,000 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 universal healthcare, disparities in medicine, diversity in medicine and transforming the culture of medical education. To learn more about AMSA, our strategic priorities, or joining the organization, please visit us online at http://http://www.amsa.org.

Kim Becker
Director of Public Relations, American Medical Student Association
Phone: (703) 620-6600, ext. 207
Email: prel@www.amsa.org

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