Community Medicine (CM) was enabled in 1990-91 academic year (with reference to Table XVIII of the February 2nd, 1986, No. 85 Republic President Decree ) to provide students with basic knowledge in PHC area.
In 1992-93 academic year, CM lessons for 6th year students were experimentally introduced. Recognizing the importance of general practice in the territorial medicine, it was implemented an agreement between the “University of Modena and Reggio Emilia” and the “Medical Association of Modena” to carry out practical integrative teaching activity at GPs practice and theoretical seminars by CM professor in collaboration with GPs.
In the 2002-03 academic year, it was introduced, for the 6th year students, teaching of General Medicine issued by a contracted GP. However, this teaching was not integrated with those of Community Medicine given to the 5th year students.
In the 2005-06 academic year, Faculty Council approved the introduction of the "General Medicine and Primary care" integrated theoretical and practical course. This experimental teaching was optional for students and it developed from the 3rd to 6th year, involving academics of primary care relevant discipline (indicated in the November 28th, 2000 MIUR Decree: General Medicine, General Pediatrics, Community Medicine, Internal Medicine, Geriatrics) and teachers and tutors from local services (GPs, PLS, nurses, doctors, local services physicians) involved in the formation as a result of an agreement between the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia and the AUSL (Local Health Agency) of Modena and Reggio Emilia.
In the 2006-07 academic year, the "General Medicine and Primary care" integrated course became experimentally compulsory for all students.
In 2011-12 academic year, with the introduction of the University Academic Regulations (RAD) (October 10th, 2004, n ° 270 Ministry of Education Decree), the “General Medicine and Primary care" integrated course became curricular and mandatory for all students. The mission of this course is to provide relational, technical, vocational and basic management skills in the Primary care area integrated with Specialist care area, giving rise to a "new culture" that is necessary to employing future physicians in Primary Care networks. In this context, new models for patient with chronic diseases, with disabilities and/or in end stage are developing and, more than ever, it’s necessary to introduce a new organization model focused on continuity of assistance and care played in the place of life of patient and his family.
Note: "Community Medicine" academic discipline is integrated in the "General Medicine and Primary Care" course and it develops the cultural content of the Primary Health Care (WHO).
