ASPIRE: WONCA‘S GLOBAL LEADER PROGRAM FOR TRAINEES AND JUNIOR PHYSICIANS

Introduction and Objective: WONCA notes that leadership training has a direct impact on the ability of physicians to make continual system improvements. In order to improve leadership development worldwide, the ASPIRE Global Leader Program was developed to augment skills of medical student, resident, and junior GP/FP staff while simultaneously increasing their involvement within their national organizations and WONCA. ASPIRE is a mnemonic representing its foundation: Academics, Students, Pre-conferences, International Collaboration, Research/Residents, and Exchanges. After completing all steps, qualified individuals will have accomplished a groundwork to help them guide and lead others in multiple aspects of family medicine in the global setting. The goal is that each participant becomes personally invested in the program for the improvement of junior WONCA members and beyond. Methods: ASPIRE is a tiered program with three levels as well as an ASPIRE-Instructor level available for experienced FPs. This stepwise progression serves to guide participants through the achievement of desired program goals, the creation of a more enriched experience, and the potential to progress to the next tier. Results and Discussion: ASPIRE launched in October 2015 and currently has a regional representative for each WONCA region and two dozen participants from six regions. In its first year, ASPIRE has helped create junior WONCA leaders through over six international collaborations and over five published or pending publications. The talk will introduce the program to listeners, describe experiences of current participants and how to start the ASPIRE leadership journey!