A group of doctors have emphasised the importance of family physicians in the healthcare ecosystem, saying they can deliver holistic treatment and prevent unnecessary burden on secondary and tertiary hospitals. Members of the Academy of Family Physicians of India (AFPI), which had its foundation day on 25 September, called for the inclusion of training as family physicians in the MBBS course.
Dr Raman Kumar, AFPI national president, said, “A family physician is not only a family doctor but acts as a guide, who helps a family in making informed healthcare decisions." On the foundation day of AFPI doctors from across India and experts from various fields conducted a national consultation on the mandatory inclusion of 'training as family physician' in the MBBS course at all Indian medical colleges referencing the pandemic situation. "This AFPI foundation day was also declared 'National Family Medicine Day',” Dr Kumar said.
Dr SK Sarin, Director of Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences, New Delhi, and president, National Academy of Medical Sciences (NAMS), while addressing his speech on Foundation day said, “Family physicians play a pivotal role in the prevention of diseases and their complications.”
Director of Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) Alok Saxena said, “Training MBBS doctors as family physicians is of paramount importance. There should be a structured course during MBBS as all doctors need not become hospital-based specialists.”
The chief guest of the programme was Prof Surekha Kishore, Director of AIIMS Gorakhpur. During her speech, she ensured to raise the issue of family physicians and their training with the National Medical Commission as its member.