Facilitating collaboration among academic generalist disciplines: a call to action

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Health Services Research
• Primary Care Medicine

Background:

• The United States requires a robust primary care physician training and support system to meet population health needs.
• A lack of collaboration among academic generalist disciplines, including general pediatrics, general internal medicine, and family medicine, may hinder this goal and their own development.
• This essay emphasizes the critical need for interdisciplinary collaboration among generalist physicians.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the necessity of collaboration among academic generalist physicians.
• To outline key strategies for fostering collaboration in research, medical education, clinical care, and advocacy.
• To underscore the benefits of collaboration for trainees, research, advocacy, resource conservation, and patient care.

Main Methods:

• The essay presents a conceptual argument for collaboration.
• It identifies specific actions academic generalists should undertake to foster collaboration.
• It draws upon general principles of collaboration and strategic planning.

Main Results:

• Lack of collaboration among academic generalist disciplines is identified as a significant barrier.
• Seven key strategies are proposed to facilitate collaboration: commitment, financial transparency, recognition, regular meetings, mutual respect, strategic planning, and learning from experience.
• Collaboration is predicted to enhance trainee opportunities, primary care research, and advocacy efforts.

Conclusions:

• Genuine collaboration among academic generalist disciplines is essential for strengthening primary care in the US.
• Implementing the proposed strategies can overcome existing barriers and foster a more cohesive and effective primary care system.
• Enhanced collaboration will lead to improved patient care, better research, and more robust advocacy for primary care.