World Family Doctor Day: Let’s Celebrate the Family Doctors at the Heart of Healthcare

World Family Doctor Day (WFDD) observed every year on 19th May brings out the importance of family doctors in healthcare systems worldwide. Since its declaration by the World Organization of Family Doctors (WONCA) in 2010, this day has become has gained momentum globally each year, with activities, meetings, and celebrations ().

Even though the function of doctors has become even more crucial in the times we live in, it was just as important in the past as it is today. As a result, this gesture was widely praised and appreciated. George Bush was the U.S. president to proclaim this day a national holiday in America.

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‘On World Family Doctor Day, let us all appreciate the tireless efforts of family doctors in improving healthcare outcomes and creating healthier communities worldwide.’

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Organized yearly with a theme, this important holiday celebrates the advancements in family medicine and acknowledges the hard work and devotion of all family physicians worldwide.

Know Why Family Doctors are the Heart of Healthcare

Family doctors play a crucial role in promoting the health and well-being of individuals and communities. They are the initial point of contact with the health care system. Their dedication, compassion, and expertise make them the heart of health care, and a trusted source of support for patients and families.

Family medicine is a pivotal element of WHO’s vision of health for all by all and health care efforts to achieve universal health coverage (UHC) in the Eastern Mediterranean Region. Enhancing and scaling up a fit-for-purpose, fit-to-practice health workforce, including family doctors, is important to build resilient health systems in the Region.

The shortage of family practitioners worldwide, and especially in many countries of the Region, is a key challenge to implementing primary health care (PHC)-based models of care. Family doctors, as primary care physicians, are prepared to handle any health issue including preventive care.

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Studies have shown that individuals who have a good relationship with their primary care physician are more likely to have better health outcomes. Family doctors collaborate or consult with specialists and other healthcare providers to give patient-centered care.

Only 700 family practitioners graduate each year in the Region, against an estimated need for 21 000 new practitioners per year to reach our regional target of 3 family physicians per 10 000 population by 2030.

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Hence, this year’s theme for World Family Doctor Day 2023 is “Family doctors: The heart of healthcare” (). This theme emphasizes the critical role of family doctors in delivering compassionate and patient-centered care to their patients.

The COVID-19 pandemic is an example of how family doctors serve as the first point of contact for patients, providing preventive and curative care, managing chronic conditions, and referring patients to specialists when necessary. They played a vital role in promoting health equity and addressing health disparities in vulnerable populations.

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On this World Family Doctor Day, let us all take a moment to thank your family doctor for their hard work and dedication in providing healthcare to you and your family. You can express your gratitude through a handwritten note, email, phone call, or a social media post.

References:

Happy World Family Doctor Day! - (https://www.aafp.org/family-physician/patient-care/global-health/world-family-doctor-day.html)
World Family Doctor Day - (https://worldfamilydoctorday.org/)

Source-Medindia