Principles of FM and PHC

Question 1

What is a family physician?

Answer 1

A generalist with a 4year specialist degree in family medicine

Question 2

What does a family physician provides?

Answer 2

Provides care at a primary level i.e usually the first point of contact for a patient with an undifferentiated problem.

Question 3

Who does a family physician treats?

Answer 3

Treat all ages, sexes and provide holistic care

Question 4

What is primary care?

Answer 4

• Tis is the actual care delivered at first/primary level of contact eg CHC as opposed to care delivered in a hospital. * This medical care is usually delivered by a family physician or GP.

Question 5

What is Primary HealthCare?

Answer 5

• Can be defined as a set of values and principles, for organizing the health system as a whole. * The WHO definition of PHC- it is essential healthcare which is made universally accessible to individuals and their families in the community, by means acceptable to them, through their full participation and at a cost acceptable to the community and the country.

Question 6

Principles of family medicine

Answer 6

1. Family physicians are committed to the person rather than the disease.
2. FP seeks to understand the context of the illness.
3. To regard every contact with the patient as an opportunity for health promotion/prevention/education.
4. Interested in the health needs of the practice population as a whole, and will work with the community to improve the health of the population.
5. FP(Family Physician) is part of a community-wide network, uses available resources in the community, and makes him/herself available.
6. FP should ideally share the same environment as their patients, and be part of the community.
7. FP sees patients in their homes when it is possible, so that they can understand the context of the illness and home situation.
8. FP sees the subjective aspects of medicine as important- show sensitivity to feelings and insight into relationships.
9. FP is a manager of resources, in a cost-effective way.
10. FP is a life long learner, and practises in an evidence-based way.

Question 7

Principles of primary health care

Answer 7

1. To promote equity and human rights in health care.
2. Display the biopsychosocial approach and cultural sensitivity towards the patient.
3. Practice health promotion at the individual and population level.
4. Promote evidence-based healthcare.
5. Treat patients at the appropriate level of care.
6. Promote multi-professional healthcare/multidisciplinary approach.
7. Promote intersectoral collaboration.
8. Encourage communities to assert their rights and interests.
9. Monitor and evaluate the efficacy, efficiency and equity of health services.

Question 8

Goals of palliative care

Answer 8

1. Palliative care is an approach that improves the quality of life of patients and their families, who are faced with life-threatening illness, or any debilitating disease/ chronic condition.
2. The unit of care is the patient and the family. The family’s views are important, but should not supersede the patient’s needs.
3. Palliative care provides total care, and involves the physical (relief of pain and suffering/side effects), as well as psychosocial and spiritual.
4. It requires a multidisciplinary team.