Evolving core values in family medicine across regions: a global scoping review
Abstract
Background: Family Medicine (FM) core values shape clinical practice, medical education, policy, and research. While universally recognised FM principles exist, their interpretation and implementation may vary significantly across different contexts, countries and time.
Methods: This scoping review systematically examined literature from diverse international sources to identify and analyse the evolving core values of FM. Relevant studies were reviewed to determine common themes, variations, contextual influences shaping FM and emerging themes.
Results: Twenty-one studies were included. Core values such as person-centred care, continuity, comprehensiveness, and coordination featured prominently across the literature. Although these traditional values persisted, their interpretations and prioritisations varied significantly according to geopolitical and healthcare system structures. Regional differences reflected local workforce structures, healthcare challenges, and sociopolitical context. High-income regions emphasised values like relational care, stewardship, and advocacy reflecting evolving expectations towards social responsiveness. Lower-resourced areas prioritised accessibility, procedural competence, and team-based leadership, responding pragmatically to infrastructural constraints. Over time, new values such as sustainability, comfort with complexity, and social accountability have emerged, indicating global concern for equity, physician well-being and proactive…
Read the paper
Related studies
- Understanding the factors influencing fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda J.E. Smith) damage in African smallholder maize fields and quantifying its impact on yield. A case study in Eastern Zimbabwe
- Alarming situation of emerging H5 and H7 avian influenza and effective control strategies
- Livestock and food security: vulnerability to population growth and climate change
- Atmosphere–ocean oxygen and productivity dynamics during early animal radiations
- Characterization of the global distribution and diversified plasmid reservoirs of the colistin resistance gene mcr-9
- The global seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in pigs: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Go deeper in Evidence Hub
Evidence Hub adds a study data sheet (design, sample size, evidence level, key numbers), an AI summary and a chat grounded in the paper's text.