Abstract
BackgroundThe countries of Central and Eastern Europe have experienced a lot of changes at the end of the 20th century, including changes in the health care systems and especially in primary care. The aim of this paper is to systematically assess the position of family medicine in these countries, using the same methodology within all the countries.MethodsA key informants survey in 11 Central and Eastern European countries and Russia using a questionnaire developed on the basis of systematic literature review.ResultsFormally, family medicine is accepted as a specialty in all the countries, although the levels of its implementation vary across the countries and the differences are important. In most countries, solo practice is the most predominant organisational form of family medicine. Family medicine is just one of many medical specialties (e.g. paediatrics and gynaecology) in primary health care. Full introduction of family medicine was successful only in Estonia.ConclusionsSome of the unification of the systems may have been the result of the EU request for adequate training that has pushed the policies towards higher standards of training for family medicine. The initial enthusiasm of implementing family medicine has decreased because there was no initiative that would support this movement. Internal and external stimuli might be needed to continue transition process.
Highlights
The countries of Central and Eastern European regional branch of World Organization of National Colleges (Wonca) (Europe) have experienced a lot of changes at the end of the 20th century, including changes in the health care systems and especially in primary care
Position in the healthcare system The results show that position of family medicine/general practice is regulated by law at various levels in all 12 countries
In all the countries family medicine/general practice is recognized as a separate specialty, theoretically on the same basis as other medical disciplines
Summary
The countries of Central and Eastern Europe have experienced a lot of changes at the end of the 20th century, including changes in the health care systems and especially in primary care. Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) experienced dramatic changes by the end of the 20th century. The changes were marked by the fall of communist ideology and regimes in late 1980s and early 1990s. After that, the former communist countries took different ways of social and political transformation. Some of the countries became members of the European Union, while the others struggled with economic and political instability. The expansion of the European Union had an important effect on CEE countries. Organization of health care is left to the member states, Europe is
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
