A quarter of a century and beyond

D K T Li 李國棟
President, The Hong Kong College of Family Physicians

The Hong Kong College of Family Physicians, formerly known as the Hong Kong College of General Practitioners was established in July 1977. This year we celebrate our 25th Anniversary. During the past quarter of a century, our College strived to improve the quality of primary care in Hong Kong through the development of Family Medicine. I must pay tribute to all those who took bold steps to establish general practice as an academic discipline as well as a specialty.

We now have a new generation of family physicians in training. At our recent Christmas dinner, I am sure many of us were impressed with the talent and enthusiasm amongst us. Finally our hopes and aspirations will materialise as we anticipate this new force of family physicians serving the community of Hong Kong.

Yet, what truly lies ahead of this new generation of family doctors? At a recent council meeting of the Hong Kong Academy of Medicine, there were concerns amongst many specialist colleges that the Hospital Authority could only afford to offer training posts for a duration of seven years for trainees to complete the required six years of specialty training. Yet Family Medicine trainees are offered contracts for four years training only. Trainees need to find their own means to complete the two final years of higher training. This may seem to discriminate our trainees yet one must realise that family medicine is a community based specialty. The skills required to provide comprehensive, continuous whole person care are acquired in the community setting. The family physician requires training to be able to work hand in hand with other primary care workers as managers of health to provide holistic and preventive care. Resources need to be allocated to allow family medicine trainees to complete their higher training in the community under proper supervision.

Not all those who will eventually provide primary care will opt to complete family medicine training to specialist status. Nonetheless, the healthcare system of Hong Kong can no longer afford to allow practitioners who offer only symptom relief or simply dress themselves up as a sophisticated dispenser of capsules, tablets and elixirs. Our College will be launching a distant learning diploma course in family medicine this coming year. The course is aimed at teaching the proper attitude and approach to provide effective primary care.

As we continue to suffer the effects of economic gloom, innovative services focused on prevention, health screening, lifestyle modification and health education must be established to ensure reward for our efforts as quality healthcare providers. Family physicians must continue their continuous professional development especially in the field of elderly care as Hong Kong faces an ageing population. Family physicians can participate in promoting the life course approach to disease and disability prevention from childhood to adolescence, and adulthood to old age.

May our College age actively and healthily with many more quarters of centuries to come!!

Best wishes for a Happy New Year.