Patient and Physician Advocacy
Principles which should guide the committee's work:

The Wisconsin Academy of Family Physicians assists family doctors in the state to provide health care to all members of communities through the development of a supportive and encouraging practice environment. Family physicians are uniquely positioned to serve in all communities and have the training and the ability to provide general medical care across generations for both chronic and acute problems, with a special emphasis on prevention and improved quality of life.

The WAFP is committed to the recruitment, retention, and ongoing organizational and educational support of family doctors in the State, particularly in underserved communities. Our goal is to find the best doctors and do what we can through education, political and legislative advocacy, and organizational efforts to support their work.

Most importantly, the WAFP is committed to the care of patients, their families, and their communities, recognizing the importance of quality comprehensive care, based on principles of scientific evidence and respect for individual needs as well an acknowledgment of the common good. We believe that any processes which impede members of our communities from seeking and receiving medical care when needed are a burden not only to our patients but to the well being of our communities and our state. The health of the public is a responsibility which we take seriously. We will work tirelessly to assure that any member of a community where we work who seeks our care will be able to receive it. In the vagaries of the current reimbursement system, we will not abandon our patients and our communities but will try to lead them in finding solutions which will broaden, not narrow, the availability and quality of health care.

1. The committee will develop strategies to increase the availability and quality of care for patients and communities.



2. The committee will promote the recognition of family doctors by the public in addressing the health needs of the people of the State, particularly for those patients who currently have barriers to benefiting from the care of family doctors.



3. The committee will support methods to assure that family doctors will be able to practice what they have been trained to do in all communities in which they practice.



4. The committee will take and active role with the WAFP board to find opportunities to educate the public on the needs of patients and of family doctors who care for them.