Abstract Body

Background

Whole person care (WPC) is a defining value of family practice. Its importance is increasingly evident with rising chronic multi-morbidity, emphasis upon patient-centeredness, and where presentations do not neatly fit a biomedical paradigm. Despite its status as a core value, WPC is often ill-defined and inconsistently implemented in the family practice setting.

Aim and Learning Objectives

This workshop aims to provide a forum to discuss WPC and introduce family practice research exploring its nature and practice.

Learning Objectives:
At the conclusion of this workshop, participants should be able to:
-Describe family practitioner (FP) perspectives on key features of WPC
-Gain familiarity with a new clinical schema for whole person systems review
-Understand the role of the therapeutic relationship in practising WPC

Method and Timetable

This workshop will be interactive and facilitate conversation to share participant expertise, alongside presentation of relevant research.

Workshop timetable:
-Features and Importance of WPC (40-50min)
-Introduction to a clinical schema for whole person systems review (20min)
-Therapeutic relationship and WPC (20min)

Results/Conclusions

Previous research shows that FPs understand WPC to be a multidimensional, integrated approach that views patients as unique persons. WPC has length, breadth and depth of scope, is founded on the FP-patient relationship and may involve a healthcare team. A practical map of domains grounded in transdisciplinary and physiological stress research and stakeholder consultation will be proposed as a WPC approach to systems review for everyday clinical practice. Fundamentally this theory and practice is relational.