Current Trends in Family Practice in Sri Lanka

Dr. K. Arulanandem Lecturer Dept. of Primary Health Care

What is Family Practice

Professional discipline with appreciation of unique relationship Patient centered, evidence based, family focused and problem oriented Significant unit of care with Professional confidentiality and responsibility Scope is dynamic, expanding

Cont
Clinical picture is not just a photograph of a man in bed but Family practice as an essential link in the Health Care System Care of the patient is completely personal but

Cont
Meeting rapid technological advances for changing patterns of illnesses

Accepting the changes in concepts in health care systems, globalization and urbanization

Cont.
Focusing - key issues Negotiating plans

Helping solve problems by sharing responsibilities

Mutual respect is a key principle

What do Patients expect?

Welcome mutual recognition and trust

Attend with ideas and concerns about illnesses

Prefer comprehensive, continuous and compassionate care Expect attentive concern and love

Common Problems in Family practice

Newborn to very old patients Pre marital and behavioral issues Antenatal and post natal problems Patients with open and hidden agendas Acute, chronic infectious diseases and non communicable diseases /Chronic Injuries and emergencies

Cont
Child and elder abuse cases Drug and sex abuse problems Personal and family conflicts Caring and caregivers problems Financial strains and health assistance Referrals of clients and coordination

Exploring .
Individuals feelings Familys strengths and weaknesses Communitys structure and culture Disease distribution and ice berg phenomenon Home remedies and health seeking behaviors of patients Dietary habits and nutrition

Challenges in family practice

Making clear clinical decisions Filtering beliefs ,values and norms Understanding backgrounds and bonds Patients agenda and Doctors agenda Implementing preventive strategies Breaking bad news Preventing Doctor shopping

Advantages of Family Practice

Single personal Physician ensures most logical and economical management of a problem Special responsibility for the health of the community

Unique consultation process/ effective communication

Roles of family practitioner

Trusted care provider
Health manager Effective communicator Family and community leader Family friend and counselor

Family- Based Medical CounselingBATHE technique

Background situation Patients Affect Most Troubling for the patient Manner of Handling Empathy

Summary
Patient as a whole person Family is a living unit and basic social group of society Concept of primary care in the context of patient in community Mutual recognition and trust are essential Current trends in the complex world of health care in this new century need to be understood

Community Medicine. (Preventive)

Clinical Medicine (Curative).

Family Medicine.(Family Practice)

(Physical, Psychological, Social, Individual, Family, Community)

Before ending
Success is never final
Failure is never fatal Courage is what counts
Sir Winston Churchill

The Future depends on

what we do in the Present

Mahatma Gandhi

Thank you!
07.01.2012