Improving Primary Care Through Research

October 18, 1999

Media Contact: Eileen Callahan
(619) 543-6163

IMPROVING PRIMARY CARE THROUGH RESEARCH

What do 300 primary care physicians from North American have in common? They are on a mission to improve primary care through science and research at the 27th annual meeting of the North American Primary Care Research Group (NAPCRG) to be held November 7 through 10 in San Diego. The physicians, who are from the United States and Canada, will be reporting on research in the field of family medicine.

William Norcross, M.D., professor in the UCSD Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, will chair the conference, which will showcase ideas and strategies on improving care in a constantly changing environment, with primary care physicians playing an increasingly vital role in the delivery of health care.

This is the largest meeting in NAPCRG history. A new feature this year will be Fireside Chats hosted by notable UCSD Family and Preventive Medicine researchers who will answer questions and mentor junior researchers from NAPCRG.

Participants in the Fireside Chats will include Robert Kaplan, Ph.D., professor and chair, Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, who will speak on health outcomes research and behavioral medicine; John Pierce, Ph.D., professor, Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, who will discuss smoking cessation, nutrition and cancer; Robert Langer, M.D., associate professor, Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, who is the principal investigator of the Women's Health Initiative; and Lawrence Schneiderman, M.D., professor and founder of the UCSD Family Practice Residency Program, who will speak on medical ethics, futility, end-of-life care and the ethics of alternative medicine.

During the four-day conference, more than 16 sessions and 198 sessions will be offered covering topics from sports medicine to geriatrics.

"Family Medicine physicians provide primary care for people of all ages, within the context of their family, occupation, culture and community," Norcross said.

"Many people are unaware of the vast training required to become a family physician," said Norcross. "They receive training in internal medicine, obstetrics, pediatrics, surgery, emergency medicine, geriatrics, cardiology, pharmacology, psychiatry, orthopedics, dermatology, behavioral science, otolaryngology, urology and ophthalmology in order to provide comprehensive care."

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The NAPCRG 27th annual meeting will be held from Nov. 7 to 10 at the Hyatt Islandia on Mission Bay. UCSD participants are available for interviews prior to and during the conference. To request interviews, call Eileen Callahan at (619) 543-6163.