Presentation of the Handbook “General Practice – Family Medicine”

On 1 November 2024, in Kyiv, the presentation of the educational handbook “General Practice – Family Medicine” took place. For our project, this event was not just important and long-awaited but truly special. We worked diligently and passionately on the creation of this handbook – more than two years of teamwork, discussions, and the search for the best solutions. We managed to assemble a strong team of authors, including medical educators and practicing physicians, who contributed their knowledge and experience to develop a modern and comprehensive course. Now, this handbook – the result of collective effort and a commitment to quality changes in medical education – is ready to assist educators and students, fostering a growing number of family doctors in Ukraine who are passionate about their profession.

The event was moderated by Olena Ihnashchuk, medical education coordinator of the Ukrainian-Swiss project “Medical Education Development,” and Olena Nykonchuk, deputy head of the medical personnel, education, and science department at the Ministry of Health of Ukraine.

Serhii Ubohov, head of the medical personnel, education, and science department at the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, welcomed the participants with a speech on the significance of family medicine: “The love for family doctors is unique, and that is a fact. I have been in this position for three years, and family medicine and general practice have always remained in the focus of Ministry of Health attention. We constantly discuss them, and they never disappear from the agenda because they are one of the key directions for the development of the healthcare system.” He concluded by emphasizing the handbook’s relevance and innovation: “For educators at specialized departments, such a modern, high-quality, and comprehensive handbook is a real gift. I am confident that everyone working in medical education will appreciate it. I sincerely thank the Ukrainian-Swiss project and everyone who contributed to the creation of this handbook.”

Tetiana Chernysh, head of the Ukrainian-Swiss project “Medical Education Development,” aptly noted in her opening speech: “The Project serves as support for those educators who seek change. We understand that there is a lot of educational and research work to be done, so we want to offer our support, knowledge, and heart to ensure that your work brings even more inspiration.”

Next, Olena Ihnashchuk presented the results of a 2024 survey conducted among higher education institutions on how the discipline “General Practice – Family Medicine” is taught in the master’s medical program. She also shared findings from the study “Perception of Family Medicine by Medical Students,” conducted in 2019 and 2023. Summarizing her presentation, Olena stated: “Understanding the specifics of teaching this discipline in Ukraine and having the results of previous years’ surveys, we set a clear goal – to increase students’ interest in family medicine as a profession. To achieve this, we developed a course with modern content and teaching methods, engaging both Ukrainian and international experts. We aimed for the course content to reflect an integrated model of healthcare delivery, a holistic approach, evidence-based medicine, communication skills, etc.”

The next part of the meeting was dedicated to presenting the course and handbook “General Practice – Family Medicine.” The handbook’s authors shared the story of its creation, the structure and content of the lessons, and their personal experiences, inspiring the audience and fostering a deeper appreciation for the handbook. A special section on rehabilitation was also highlighted. Tetiana Baryshok, co-author of this section and representative of the affiliated Ukrainian-Swiss project “Rehabilitation of War Injuries,” emphasized the role of family doctors in patient rehabilitation: “According to WHO data, nearly 2.5 billion people worldwide require various rehabilitation interventions. In most cases (60–80% depending on the country), rehabilitation services are provided at the level of primary healthcare. That is why the concept of community – which is central to our handbook – is so crucial. Primary care should be accessible where people live and work. Patients should not have to travel hundreds of kilometers to receive quality rehabilitation services. It is important that they are promptly referred to the necessary specialist, which requires effective collaboration among healthcare professionals of different specialties. The integration of medical professions and the comprehensiveness of medical services enable the most effective care. The role of the family doctor in this process is undeniably significant.”

We are sincerely grateful to the co-authors of the handbook for their incredible storytelling about its creation:

• Oksana Petrynych, associate professor at the department of family medicine, Bukovinian State Medical University, PhD in Medicine, member of the European Academy of Teachers in General Practice and Family Medicine (EURACT);

• Iryna Borovyk, associate professor at the department of therapy and family medicine, Ternopil National Medical University named after I. Horbachevsky, PhD in Medicine, member of EURACT;

• Yuliia Repchuk, assistant professor at the department of family medicine, Bukovinian State Medical University;

• Marianna Semianiv, associate professor at the department of family medicine, Bukovinian State Medical University, Doctor of Philosophy, member of EURACT;

• Vadym Vus, family doctor, lecturer at the International European University (Professional College of Medicine and European Medical School);

• Olena Ihnashchuk, physician, PhD in Medicine, medical education coordinator of the Ukrainian-Swiss project “Medical Education Development”;

• Tetiana Baryshok, physical therapist, associate professor at the department of physical therapy and occupational therapy, Khortytsia National Academy, chair of the board of the All-Ukrainian Association of Physical Therapists.

After the presentation of the handbook, Olena Ihnashchuk discussed with the participants the roadmap for implementing the course in medical schools. The event concluded with a panel discussion titled “How to increase students’ interest in family medicine,” featuring Vadym Vus, Oksana Petrynych, Anna Ostafiichuk, Anastasiia Hibeskuhl, Vladyslav Odrynskyi, and Serhii Ubohov. One of the key takeaways from the discussion was that, among other things, we lack a TV series about a rural family doctor!

Please find the event recording on our YouTube channel.

To order an electronic or print version of the handbook, please fill out the form.

Please note that the handbook is intended for family medicine educators at medical schools.