General practice research from developing countries: health or medicine?

Area of Science:

• Global primary health care research
• International comparative studies in medicine

Background:

• Analysis of presentations at the 11th WONCA conference (1986) focusing on developing countries.
• 13% of first authors were from developing nations, highlighting their participation in global health discussions.

Purpose of the Study:

• Compare external resources in developing versus industrial countries.
• Understand primary care physicians' perspectives on their roles, work, and healthcare systems in developing countries.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of presentations from or about developing countries at the 11th WONCA conference.
• Comparison of solo versus group presentations, group size, and disciplinary composition.
• Categorization of studies based on setting (urban/rural) and focus (primary health care/medical care).

Main Results:

• Solo presentations were equally frequent from industrial and developing countries.
• Group presentations from industrial countries were larger and more multidisciplinary.
• Most studies from developing countries were urban-focused, with half addressing primary health care.
• Techniques presented were generally suitable for primary care settings.
• Teamwork and intersectoral collaboration were discussed in 50% of primary health care studies; traditional medicine was mentioned infrequently.

Conclusions:

• Primary care research from developing countries in 1986 often centered on urban settings and core medical care, with less emphasis on broader collaboration.
• Despite similarities in solo work, industrial country groups exhibited greater multidisciplinary engagement.
• The findings suggest a need to further explore and promote intersectoral collaboration and the integration of traditional medicine within primary health care in developing nations.