Challenges and reforms in family medicine: Perspective of Indian family physician
Introduction: Family medicine in India has been growing steadily, from the last two decades. In this period, a review on the challenges faced by the family physicians and reforms that can be aimed for from a family physicians’ perspective can give a direction to the growth of family medicine in Indi...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications
2025-06-01
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| Series: | Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://journals.lww.com/10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_1955_24 |
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| Summary: | Introduction:
Family medicine in India has been growing steadily, from the last two decades. In this period, a review on the challenges faced by the family physicians and reforms that can be aimed for from a family physicians’ perspective can give a direction to the growth of family medicine in India.
Aims and Objectives:
1. To assess the common challenges faced by family physicians practicing in India. 2. To list the reforms a family physician envisions in the field of family medicine. Methodology: It is a cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study. Inclusion criteria: 1. Doctors practising as family physicians, who do not hold a postgraduate degree in Family Medicine (those with MBBBS or post-MBBS fellowships or diplomas in Family medicine through distance education, nonresidentially trained) 2. Doctors practising as family physicians, who hold an NMC recognised postgraduate degree or diploma in Family Medicine (residentially trained-MD, DNB or DFM-NBEMS)
Results and Conclusions:
1. The most common challenges faced by family physicians include achieving an adequate income, time for academic and research activity and managing stress and burnout. However, these issues are not unique to family physicians but could be prevalent across the medical profession as a whole 2. The least challenging are adequate intellectual stimulation and referral to a specialist. 3. The prevalence of challenges is more among the nonresidentially trained family physician 4. The reforms proposed by family physicians emphasize the need for greater recognition and acceptance of the specialty, both within the medical community and among the public. There is also a strong desire for expanded training opportunities, enhanced academic roles, and more support in practice establishment. Ultimately, family physicians envision a healthcare system where they serve as the first point of care for all patients, contributing to a well-structured and accessible healthcare delivery model. |
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| ISSN: | 2249-4863 2278-7135 |