Family medicine and medical education reform

·         What is family medicine?

o   Family medicine (FM) is a medical specialty devoted to comprehensive health care for people of all ages. It is a division of primary care that provides continuing and comprehensive health care for the individual and family across all ages

MCI

·         Last april, its board was replaced on grounds of corruption with a government nominated board of governors

·         They have been given the task of bringing about medical education reform

WHY REFORM?

·         To overcome inadequacies and inequities in our healthcare system

·         To achieve goal of quality and universal healthcare

CURRENT STATUS OF MEDICAL EDUCATION

·         Shortage of medical manpower

·         Poor quality of medical education

·         Shortage of faculty

WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS?

·         We need a sound and competent basic  health care system to cater to needs of disadvataged communities

·         Focus should be on disease prevention and promotion of ehalth in family and community

·         More focus on primary and secondary levels of healthcare

WAY AHEAD

·         Medical under grads need to be trained in family medicine

·         They should be given exposure to primarya nd secondary healthcare during their training

·         Medical colleges should set up a separate dept of family medicine

OBSTACLES

·         Health care is not of much importance in political scenario

·         Family medicine is not appealing to private sector