The foundations of primary care : daring to be different

Section 1: Historical Perspective of Medicine: from Shaman to modern physician. The history of medicine. Development of medicine knowledge. Medical education. The origins of general practice. Emerging patterns. Section 2: Philosophical perspective of medicine: the search for meaning of health illness. Some philosophical fragments on medicine. Philosophical fragments on science. Systems thinking. Emerging patterns. Section 3: The practice of medicine: healing. The epidemiology of illness and disease. Disease, illness and health. The practice of medicine. Practising general practice/family medicine. Emerging patterns. Section 4: The social function of medicine: the interdependence of health in society. The social nature of health and medicine. Social responsibility. Health care in societal context. Health inequalities. Emerging patterns. Section 5: Medicine in the community: towards primary care. Primary care. The healthcare vortex: A metaphor for a sustainable healthcare system.