Authors (including presenting author) :
Leung LH, Wong CL, Chan L
Affiliation :
Department of Family Medicine & Primary Health Care, Kowloon West Cluster, Hospital Authority
Introduction :
There are a number of challenges and barriers in promoting Family Medicine (FM). A round table discussion in a format of “world café” was conducted at the World Conference of Family Doctors (WONCA Conference) 2018 hosted by the Young Doctors Committee, Hong Kong College of Family Physicians (HKCFP). Interactive discussions were conducted among delegates around the world to understand more about the challenges, barriers and innovative ways in promoting FM.
Objectives :
To explore challenges and barriers in promoting Family Medicine; and to initiate innovative ways in promoting Family Medicine from world-wide perspectives.
Methodology :
Cycles of round table discussion in a format of “world café” were performed with participants and delegates comprising of primary care physicians over the world, in the area of "arousing public awareness", "inter-specialty collaboration", "enhancing FM training" and "re-visiting role of FM".
Result & Outcome :
Participants had active discussions on vertical & horizontal collaborations among healthcare stakeholders, with emphasis in promoting a quality primary care network. Education, publication, IT & media were essential elements to arouse public awareness. FM training enhancement in terms of undergraduate, postgraduate perspectives were emerging with focus on Special Interest in FM.
Overseas examples were highlighted from various levels: 1. National campaign: in Australia, RACGP launched a national campaign to promote public awareness of FM with the theme “I’m not just a GP. I’m your specialist in life”; 2. Medical school: through guidance from mentors who were family physicians, medical students could gain an early exposure in FM. An early introduction of FM into the medical curriculum would be beneficial. In Spain, FM education is included in the first year of some medical schools; 3. Referral network: family physicians as the first point of contact in healthcare, by a referral system linking up primary care, secondary care, tertiary care, and allied health.
The role of FM in the whole health system was revisited stressing on FM core competencies and patient-centered approach in holistic management of health issues. Quality primary care shapes a sustainable healthcare future.
