The legacy of a humanist doctor

2024 is the Jordi Gol i Gurina Year, which commemorates the birth of this exceptional doctor who gives our institute its name, and who was a benchmark in the development of the Primary Health Care in our country. The director of IDIAPJGol, Josep Basora, highlights his “ability to stay ahead of his time, incorporating a humanistic vision into medicine.”

2024 is a special year for the medical community and for our Institute, as it commemorates the centenary of the birth of one of the most outstanding figures in the history of Catalan medicine. We talk about Dr. Jordi Gol i Gurina. Doctor, humanist, and firm defender of Primary Health Care. Our centre proudly bears his name and identifies it with research aimed at improving people’s health, with a social, committed, and multidisciplinary approach.

Although Gol i Gurina never acted as a researcher, he always practiced the profession based on scientific evidence, to which he incorporated a human perspective. His definition of health as “an autonomous, supportive and joyful way of living”, which was approved at the X Congress of Physicians and Biologists of Catalan Language in 1976, summarizes his vision of what health care should be, which does not have to be only focused on curing diseases, but on guaranteeing the well-being of the person and their full individual development.

Born on August 22, 1924, Jordi Gol i Gurina set a precedent for many subsequent generations of doctors and other health professionals, not only for his clinical knowledge, but also for his global approach to health, which not only had to consider purely physiological aspects, but also emotional, social, and spiritual aspects. He advocated a person-cantered medicine, which placed emphasis on prevention, health promotion, and the personal relationship between doctor and patient.

Avant-garde vision

His influence has been fundamental in the reform of Primary Health Care in Catalonia and in Spain as a whole. With an avant-garde vision, he promoted the creation of multidisciplinary teams, integrating family doctors, nurses, social workers, and other health professionals to offer more complete and coordinated care. Today this model is considered an international reference in the organization of the first level of care.
Dr. Gol i Gurina was a pioneer in addressing issues that have been essential in the modern conception of health care: the relationship between the health professionals and the patients, the introduction of informed consent in clinical practice, the dignity of death and the palliative cares, among others.

In addition, Gol stood out as an educator and mentor. He dedicated part of his career to the training of new doctors, instilling in them ethical and humanitarian values that he considered indispensable in healthcare practice. Many of his students have followed in his footsteps and have continued to spread his vision of medicine over the years.

Example of civility

In addition to his professional work, Jordi Gol i Gurina was a defender of human rights and promoted democratic values during the Franco’s dictatorship. His integrity and coherence made him an example of civility and social responsibility.

During this year 2024, several activities will be carried out to commemorate the hundred years since the birth of this model doctor. The anniversary has been promoted by the Barcelona College of Physicians, and the IDIAPJGol participates in the organization of the celebration events, which will take place throughout the year.

The commissioners of the Year Jordi Gol i Gurina are the vice president of the Official College of Physicians of Barcelona, Jaume Sellarès, and the director of the IDIAPJGol, Josep Basora, who highlights this pioneer of Primary Care for his “ability to be ahead of his time, incorporating a humanistic vision of medicine, which places the person at the centre of the system.” Basora is proud that the Institute he directs bears the name of such an exceptional doctor as Jordi Gol i Gurina and emphasizes that the celebration of the centenary of his birth “gives us the opportunity to remember and celebrate the life and work of an exceptional doctor, which left an indelible mark on Catalan medicine and in society in general.”