..About CSFM
MISSION AND GOALS

 

The Centre's OVER-ARCHING GOAL is to enhance family medicine and primary health care through research strategically designed to have a positive impact on the health system and on patients' health and well-being.

As the diagram below displays, the Centre for Studies in Family Medicine's research is based on the principles of proactive patient-centred care. The Centre's research takes place in three contexts: clinical care; the community; and the health care system. The current research themes include: patient-centred clinical method; diabetes care; child health; integrated and interdisciplinary care.

Centre for Studies in Family Medicine's Research

The research and development process of the Centre encompasses five steps: pursue curiosity-driven research; develop new research methods; foster research partnerships; use diverse research methodologies; and, last but not least, put research into practice.

  • GOAL 1 - To explore, develop and implement the patient-centred clinical method. For example, integrating patient-centred care into the communication between doctors and breast cancer patients;
  • GOAL 2 - To test and implement effective strategies for the prevention and care of chronic disease in family practice (with an emphasis on diabetes). For example, the dissemination and implementation of Clinical Practice Guidelines specific to Type 2 Diabetes;
  • GOAL 3 - To enhance the health of children and adolescents (with emphasis on children's psychosocial adjustment). For example, develop a handbook and telephone support for parents with concerns regarding their child’s psychosocial adjustment for use in the family practice setting.
  • GOAL 4 - To enhance the integration of health services and systems (with an emphasis on improving family practice, encouraging an interdisciplinary team approach and integrating family physicians' services). For example, evaluating the integration of family physicians and a nurse practitioner into home care for those with acute and complex illnesses;
  • GOAL 5 - To enhance the care and understanding of populations at risk (with an emphasis on aboriginal people) For example, facilitating and researching a community-based diabetes prevention program in an isolated Ojibway-Cree community in Northern Ontario;
  • GOAL 6 - To understand the changing role of the family physician in the Canadian health care system. For example, evaluating the role and impact of Walk-in Clinic's in Ontario's Health Care System.

 Enabling these goals are six research programs:

  1. Patient-centred Clinical Method
  2. Diabetes Care
  3. Child Health
  4. Integrated and Interdisciplinary Care
  5. Information Technology in Primary Health Care
  6. Access to Care