Finding safe harbour: a conversation with Dr. Tom Freeman

Finding safe harbour: a conversation with Dr. Tom Freeman

From CFP Podcast by Canadian Family Physician (CFP), Dr. Nicholas Pimlott and Dr. David Ponka

January 29, 2026 · 31 min · Episode 82

About this episode

Dr. Tom Freeman discusses his experiences and insights on family medicine in light of Ian McWhinney's principles.

This year – 2026 – marks the centenary of Dr. Ian McWhinney’s birth. Ian McWhinney is considered the “father of family medicine” in Canada and founded the first academic Department of Family Medicine in Canada at Western University in 1970. Join  CFP  Associate Editor Dr. David Ponka and Editor Dr. Nick Pimlott as they interview Dr. Tom Freeman, Professor Emeritus at Western University to discuss an article in the January edition of CFP which they co-authored with Tom entitled  “Finding safe harbour: reassessing 9 principles of family medicine in difficult times”  ( https://www.cfp.ca/content/72/1/20 ). Tom, David and Nick discuss Tom’s first encounter with Ian McWhinney as a medical student and their long working relationship together; the launch of a new series in  CFP  entitled  “Foundations for Tomorrow”  reinterpreting McWhinney’s 9 principles for our current challenging times; and our partnership with the National Gallery of Canada to bring these principles to life on the journal’s covers from the Gallery’s extensive archival collection ( https://www.cfp.ca/content/72/1/8 ). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more…

People in this episode

Hosts: David Ponka, Nick Pimlott

Guest: Dr Tom Freeman

Topics covered

  • family medicine
  • medical education
  • healthcare principles

Keywords

  • Ian McWhinney
  • Foundations for Tomorrow
  • family medicine principles

Mentioned in this episode

Products: CFP

Books & works: Finding safe harbour, Finding safe harbour: reassessing 9 principles of family medicine in difficult times, Foundations for Tomorrow

Places: Canada

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