PCM3

Family Medicine

Kazuhito Mori, MS-II

Matias Hipolito Aznar Memorial
College of Medicine, Inc.
Southwestern University
 Plat du Jour ~Today’s Menu~
1. What is Family Medicine?
2. Characteristics of Family Medicine
3. “Declaration of Alma-Ata”, Int’l Conference on
Primary Health Care, 1978
4. Family Medicine as a Specialty
5. What is Family Physician?
6. Traits for Family Physicians
7. Family Physician’s Faces
8. Basic Knowledge on Families
9. Effects of Family on the Health of Members
 What’s Family Medicine?
• A discipline of medicine with a distinct core
knowledge & characteristics of care which refers
to individuals, family, community & functions
within economic, cultural & social environments
& resources. (WONCA, 1979)

Year of 1979 has a special meaning for this

definition of Family Medicine (discussed later)
FOOTNOTE: "WONCA" is an unusual, yet convenient acronym comprising the
first 5 initials of the World Organization of National Colleges, Academies &
Academic Associations of General Practitioners/Family Physicians. It’s short
name is World Organization of Family Doctors.
 Characteristics of Family Medicine
• Primary: 1st contact care at Ambulatory, ER, Home
• Continuing:
– Chronological, Geographical, Interdisciplinary, Interpersonal
• Comprehensive:
– Social, Cultural, Economic, Educational
• Prevention:
– All levels with Emphasis on Health Education
• Curative:
– Relieve symptoms, early Diagnosis & Rx
• Rehabilitative:
– Assist patients to go back to society

You’ll see where those keywords came from.

 “Declaration of Alma-Ata”, Int’l Conference
on Primary Health Care, 1978
• “Primary health care is essential health care based on practical,
scientifically sound and socially acceptable methods and
technology made universally accessible to individuals and
families in the community through their full participation and at a
cost that the community and country can afford to maintain at
every stage of their development in the spirit of self-reliance
and self-determination.
• It forms an integral part both of the country's health system, of
which it is the central function and main focus, and of the
overall social and economic development of the community. It
is the first level of contact of individuals, the family and
community with the national health system bringing health care
as close as possible to where people live and work, and
constitutes the first element of a continuing health care
process.”

Scope of Family Medicine well reflects the spirit of Declaration of

Alma-Ata !!
 Family Medicine as a Specialty
• Distinguishable body of knowledge
– Integrates biological, clinical & behavioural sciences
• Unique field of action
– Family-oriented; encompasses all ages, both sexes,
each organ system, every disease entity
• Active area of research
– Clinical problem, healthcare delivery, family practice
approach
• Training that is intellectually vigorous
– Strong emphasis on continuity, experiences in
family care, behavioural sciences, community
medicine, inter-departmental cooperation
 What is Family Physician ?
• A medical practitioner who implements the principles
of the discipline & provides healthcare.

• ROLES:
– Healer & Physician
– Teacher
– Advocate
– Manager
– Scientist
– Counselor
– Friend

A Versatile, multi-facet, all-round physician is expected here.

Challenging, Intriguing & Fascinating enough !!
 Traits for Family Physicians
• Sense of responsibility over the individual &
family during health, illness & rehabilitation
• Compassion, empathy & sincere interest over
the patient & family
• Constantly inquisitive attitude
• Interest in the broad spectrum of medicine
• Ability to deal with multiple problems that occur
simultaneously in one patient
• Desire for frequent & valid intellectual &
technical challenges
 Family Physician’s Faces

• Pediatrician’s role
• Internist’s role
• Psychiatrist’s role
• Social worker’s role
• Health Education Teacher’s role
• Preventive Medicine practitioner
• Integrative/Holistic Medicine practitioner
Very Busy, No?
 Basic Knowledge on Family
• To understand family structure & function
• Awareness of how family communicate
• Skills in observing how family operates
• Ability to relate to the family or individual
• Reinforce central function of the family
Family Physicians may be needed most in countries
where there are so many “Dysfunctional Families”.

If you’re a fan of American sit-com, functional families were

depicted still in the 80’s, however, increment was the number of
“Dysfunctional Families” on such programs during 90’s. Then
Japan also followed the same path. (personal observation)
 Effects of Family on the Health
of Members
• Health promotion & maintenance as well as illn
ess prevention
• Coping with stressful life events
• Family-based health & illness appraisal
• Family interaction & level of functioning in respo
nse to illness
• Help-seeking behaviour
• Family adaptation to illness
Thank You For Viewing the Slides,
Stay Healthy !!