CONCEPTS OF FAMILY MEDICINE - Desirable Qualities of a Family Physician

1. CONCEPTS OFFAMILY MEDICINE -Desirable Qualities of a Family Physician Dr. RiazQureshi Distinguished Professor Department of Family & Community Medicine King Saud University, Riyadh

2. History of Family Medicine • EVOLUTION: The age of the General Practitioner / The age of Specialization/Family Medicine as a Clinical and Academic Discipline

3. Major barriers to equitable health care - WHO • Unequal access to disease prevention & care • Rising cost of health care • Inefficient health care system • Lack of emphasis on Generalists’ (Family Medicine) training

4. How to overcome these barriers ? • The WHO also states, that the best option to overcome these barriers is to utilize the services of trained Family Physicians

5. Health outcome indicators • Barbra Starfield study confirmed that the Central Role of Family Medicine in the health care system of a country results in better health outcome indicators

6. Problems in the community 75% Self care 25% Consult FP Hosp 2.5%

7. Concepts of Family Medicine Definition :Family Medicine is a medical specialty of first contact with the patient and is devoted to providing preventive, promotive, rehabilitative and curative care with emphasis on the physical, psychological and social aspects, for the patient, his family and community. The scope is not limited by system, organ, disease entity, age or sex.

8. The Need For Trained Family Physicians • The central role of a trained Family Physician in health care is well recognized in: • Developed countries -- UK, USA and Canada • Oil rich countries -- Saudi Arabia and Kuwait? • Developing countries -- ? ? ? ? ? • The need is even greater in all less developed countries.

9. Desirable Qualities of Care by Family Physicians ( 10 Cs ) 1. C = Caring/Compassionate Care 2. C = Clinically Competent Physician 3. C = Cost-effective Care 4. C = Continuity of Care 5. C = Comprehensive Care 6. C = Common Problems Management 7. C = Co-ordination of Care 8. C = Community-based Care & Research 9. C = Continuing Medical Education 10. C = Communication & Counseling skills

10. 1. C = Caring • Caring/Compassionate care • An essential quality in a Family Physician • Personal Care

11. 2. C = Clinically Competent • Only caring is not enough • Need for 4 years training after graduation and internship

12. 3. C = Cost-effective Care • In time and money • Gate keeper- Appropriate resources use • Use of time as a diagnostic tool

13. 4. Continuity of Care • For acute, chronic, from childhood to old age, and terminal care patients and those requiring rehabilitation. • Preventive care/ Promotion of health • Care from cradle to grave

14. 5. C = Comprehensive Care • Responsibility for every problem a patient presents with • Physical, Psychological & Social • Holistic approach with triple diagnosis

15. 6. C = Common Problems Management Expertise • e.g. Hypertension, Diabetes, Asthma, Depression, Anemia, Allergic Rhinitis, Urinary Tract Infection • Common problems in children and women

16. 7. Continuing Medical Education • To keep up-to-date • Need for breath of knowledge

17. 8. Coordination of Care • Patient’s advocate • Organizing multiple sources of help

18. 9. Community Based Care • Care nearer patients’ home • Preventive, promotive, rehabilitative and curative care in patients own environment. • Relevant research within the patient’s own surroundings

19. 10. C = Communication and Counseling Skills • Essential for compliance of advice and treatment/sharing understanding • Confidentiality and safety netting • Needed for patient satisfaction • Involving patient in the management

20. Conclusions The principles and competencies required for the practice of Family Medicine are universal. They are applicable to all cultures and all social groups, from richest to the poorest in the community.

21. Thank you • Have a nice day