In primary care, research is needed that takes into account the specific characteristics of its population and the presentation and prevalence of illness and disease. The context of the doctor-patient encounter plays a major part, and needs better understanding. At the policy level, issues of equity must be addressed. The knowledge base for family medicine must be expanded by integration of multiple methods of comprehension, so we can bridge the gap between evidence and practice.
de Maeseneer et al., The Lancet Vol 362 October 18, 2003
Research in Family Medicine is essential to the achievement of excellence in patient care and education. At McGill, we undertake research :
- to provide the evidence necessary to underpin high quality clinical care in general practice and to advance the discipline of family practice through new knowledge and knowledge translation.
- because the future of the profession relies on us determining our own academic path.
Research capacity building is the latest area of concentrated activity and is a priority for expansion in our department. We have major federal CIHR grants and are involved in many other CIHR and provincial FRSQ funded research projects.
Structure and Function of Research
Family Medicine Research Meetings
Departmental research members meet once a month to discuss individual research projects, team projects, propose new research ideas and advise on all department-wide research related issues. Core members include Gillian Bartlett, Roland Grad, Jeannie Haggerty (Research Director), Ann Macaulay, Pierre Pluye, Charo Rodriguez, Ellen Rosenberg and Julia Diouf (Recording Secretary). The meeting is open to all department members who do research.
Monthly Family Medicine Research Seminars
Every month, faculty who are actively involved in research get together at our department over the lunch hour to present their research projects. The forum provides a supportive environment where researchers discuss and get feedback on research ideas, methodology, or results.
2012 - 2013 Research Seminars
Tuesday September 11, 2012 - Dr. David Levine, President and CEO of DL Consulting "Primary Health Care Reform in Quebec"
Tuesday October 2, 2012 - Richard Riopelle MD, Professor and Chair, Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery. "Health Transformation: The Spinal Cord Injury Knowledge Mobilization Network and the role of Participatory Action Research"
Tuesday November 6, 2012 - Mark Yaffe, BSc, MDCM, MClSc, Professor, Department of Family Medicine at McGill University and St. Mary’s Hospital Center "Foundations of Family Medicine: Everyone wants a family doctor, but what is family medicine?"
Friday December 7, 2012 - Mark Clarfield MD, Professor, Ben-Guiron University and Adjunct Professor, McGill University "Squaring of the curve: true or false?: Will our children in their old age be healthier than we will be in our later years?"
