| May 19, 2023, is World Family Doctor Day, a day to honour and appreciate the tireless efforts of family doctors in improving healthcare outcomes and creating healthier communities worldwide. It’s also an opportunity to acknowledge and appreciate the progress made in family medicine and the exceptional contributions of primary care teams globally. This year’s theme is Family Doctors: The Heart of Healthcare.
Family doctors play a crucial role in promoting the health and well-being of individuals and communities:
Long-term relationship: Family doctors provide continuous and comprehensive care to patients throughout their lives, building long-term relationships with them. This allows them to understand their patients’ medical history, lifestyle, and social circumstances, and offer personalized care and support.
Holistic approach: Family doctors take a holistic approach to healthcare, considering not just a patient’s physical health, but also their emotional, social, and psychological well-being. They focus on preventive care, screening, and early detection of illnesses to help patients maintain good health and prevent chronic diseases.
Coordination of care: Family doctors serve as a central point of coordination for a patient’s healthcare needs. Family doctors play a critical role in coordinating care across different settings, including hospitals, consultants, and other health care providers, to ensure that their patients receive timely and appropriate care.
Advocacy and education: Family doctors are advocates for their patients, helping them navigate the healthcare system and access the resources they need. Family doctors are also advocates for their communities and work to address systemic barriers to accessing quality health care. They also are active promotors of health and wellness through education, outreach, and community partnerships.
The Family Practice Renewal Program, in partnership with our Family Practice Networks, would like to thank family doctors in Newfoundland and Labrador for their contribution to creating healthier communities and for their commitment to leadership and innovation in family practice.
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