Fact Sheet
History
Recognizing fundamental flaws in the fragmented U.S. health care system and the great potential of an integrative, generalist approach, the leadership of seven national family medicine organizations initiated the Future of Family Medicine (FFM) Project in January 2000. The goal of the FFM Project was "To develop a strategy to transform and renew the specialty of family medicine to meet the needs of patients in a changing health care environment."
Participants
Seven national family medicine organizations initiated and provided financial support for the multi-million dollar Project, including:
- American Academy of Family Physicians
- American Academy of Family Physicians Foundation
- American Board of Family Practice
- Association of Departments of Family Medicine
- Association of Family Medicine Residency Directors
- North American Primary Care Research Group
- Society of Teachers of Family Medicine
Additional support was contributed by:
- Eli Lilly Foundation
- Pharmacia Corporation
- Pharmacia Foundation
- Pfizer Corporation
- Pfizer Foundation
- Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
- Health Resources and Services Administration
- Schering-Plough Corporation
- Wyeth Pharmaceuticals
A Project Leadership Committee, chaired by James C. Martin, M.D., managed the FFM Project and consisted of an elected leader and the CEO of each of the participating organizations, plus the chairs of the national task forces.
Research Methodology
A national research study was conducted by independent research firms to develop an objective understanding of the contemporary situation of family medicine in the United States. Interviews and focus groups identified key issues for diverse constituencies, including patients, payors, residents, students, family physicians and other clinicians. Subsequently, interviews were conducted with nationally representative samples of nine key constituencies. These data informed the work of the national task forces.
Task Forces
Five task forces consisting of leaders in the fields of medicine, education, policy, information technology, research, business, marketing, finance, advertising and medical publishing were formed to address key issues.
Task Force 1: To consider the core attributes and values of family medicine and propose ideas about reforming family medicine and primary care to meet the contemporary needs and expectations of the people of the United States
Task Force 2: To determine the training needed for family physicians to deliver core attributes and system services
Task Force 3: To ensure that family physicians deliver core attributes and system services throughout their careers
Task Force 4: To determine strategies for communicating the role of family physicians within medicine and health care, as well as to purchasers and consumers
Task Force 5: To determine family medicine's leadership role in shaping he future health care delivery system
Multiple project recommendations led to the formation of a sixth task force, which will report its findings and recommendations in the fall of 2004.
Task Force 6: To develop reimbursement models which sustain and promote primary care practices
Findings & Recommendations
The FFM Project Leadership Committee synthesized the task force reports into a final report and published it as a supplement to the March/April 2004 issue of Annals of Family Medicine. The complete report is available at http://www.annfammed.org.
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