Dear Colleagues,

The Family Medicine Practicing in Community Medicine was first announced in Turkey by

Professor Ihsan DOĞRAMACI in 1963 in Hacettepe University Medical School. At that time, it was obligatory for medical students to follow a family for six years.

In 1982 with the request of High Educational Council we decided to establish a Department of Family Medicine in Gazi University. Our aim was to improve medical education and to support students through all years of medical school in family medicine. We believed that the family medicine practice (intern-ship training) is a part of community medicine and it will meet the needs of primary care physicians who will be working in health centers. The mission of the Family Medicine Departments in Community Medicine were as follows:

* Teach all medical students the core principles of family medicine and the role of family physicians in the health care system

* Continue active leadership role in medical school curriculum and program development

* Encourage students to specialize in family medicine and offer elective programs for family medicine

* Conduct scholarship and research in family medicine education

* Work for continuous improvement in all programs and activities

* Create a positive working environment by communicating, collaborating and developing supportive relationships among family medicine faculty and staff

* Promote and advocate the internship programs of the last year medical students as family medicine expertise training and ensure spending one year in health centers under the supervision of community medicine departments.

Pekcan H. The first family medicine department of Turkey. TJFMPC 2007;1:10.

Submitted date: 15.02.2007  

Accepted date: 26.02.2007