Between Patient, Planet and System: Rethinking the Bedrock of Family Medicine
Sena AKYAR, Hamdi Nezih DAĞDEVIREN, Serdar ÖZTORA and Ekin DIKMEN
One Health, Planetary Health, and Sustainability are increasingly described as the bedrock of modern family medicine, particularly within the WONCA framework. These approaches aim to address complex global challenges by integrating human, animal, environmental, and system-level perspectives. However, as these principles gain prominence, an important question emerges regarding how consistently these global health frameworks enhance patient safety and quality of care, and how much they contribute to patient-centered practice in real-world implementation. Family medicine, positioned at the interface between individual care and population health, is uniquely affected by this tension.A key objective is to clarify the interaction between the bedrock of WONCA tree and the clinical approach in family medicine. Thus, this workshop aims to critically examine whether the WONCA bedrock effectively serves in family doctors’ daily practice. Participants will explore: How these principles can improve patient care, Where they may introduce ethical, clinical, or organizational risks, How a balance can be maintained between global responsibilities and patient-centered care. How to apply the bedrock principles in the real world.This interactive workshop uses a case-based and reflective learning design. After a brief framing introduction, participants work with a single complex family medicine case examined through three lenses: One Health, Planetary Health, and Sustainability. Small groups analyze the benefits and risks associated with each perspective, focusing on patient safety and care quality. Groups then reconvene to integrate insights and identify ethical “red lines” where discussed principles must not override individual patient needs. Facilitated plenary discussion emphasises balance, proportionality, and clinical appropriateness.Participants will develop the ability to: Critically appraise the application of One Health, Planetary Health, and Sustainability in clinical practice, Recognize situations where these frameworks enhance care and where they may pose risks, Apply a patient-centered balancing approach that ensure safety and quality while acknowledging the principles brought by the bedrock.This workshop discusses how the WONCA bedrock strengthens family practice through appropriate support for the principles of family medicine, including patient-centeredness, continuity, comprehensiveness, coordination, and safety.
