President of the Aga Khan University Dr Shamsh Kassim-Lakha has said greater emphasis on research, effective communication with and caring for patients and emphasis on mental health problems are the core issues that need immediate attention of family medicine practitioners.
He was speaking as the chief guest at the second International Family Medicine Conference-2005 "Strengthening the Central Role of Family Medicine in Health Care" began at the AKU on Friday. The conference is held in collaboration between AKU Family Medicine Department, World Organisation of National Colleges, Academies and Academic Association of General Practitioners/Family Physicians (WONCA), Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP), UK and the College of Family Medicine Pakistan.
He said that the doctors should be adequately equipped with the latest in their chosen field of specialisation and have basic knowledge in liberal arts.
He said that the curriculum for graduation in medical sciences was in need of revision to widen its scope and accommodate subjects of liberal arts so that a graduating doctor should have complete knowledge of the world around him/her.
He said that similarly the nursing student should be imparted in both nursing science and arts subjects.
Lakha said that the time had changed and a competent medical practitioner should be one, who had the knowledge of all such disciplines, which affect the life of a person. "It is necessary for developing a comprehensive treatment package."
He said that for a family physician it was necessary to know the art of dealing with his/her patient as effective communication "takes away half of the worries."
He said that AKU was committed to the advancement of family medicine and family physicians so that an effective linkage between the initial medical service provider and the patient, and the patient and his specialist could become more meaningful.
He said that the AKU was also committed to the development of human capacities through discovery and dissemination of knowledge, and application through service.
Lakha said that the AKU had the facility to train and prepare proficient family physicians and help in research undertakings.
The AKU, if needed, will offer programmes of international quality, respond to identified needs in the countries and regions which it serves, prioritise teaching and research, which will inform and underpin intellectual innovation and changes, provide service to advance its educational and research mandate, foster and develop leadership capacity through its education and research programmes, assess its impact and effectiveness, promote access and equality by taking positive measures to make the university inclusive of all socio-economic groups, addressing the particular needs and circumstances of the disadvantaged, promoting the welfare and advancement of women, engaging in knowledge networking and emerging technologies and add value by promoting partnership and networking across the AKU development network and with other national and international institutions.
Lakha spoke at length about the family medicine department and appreciated its services.
Professor of Family Medicine at the AKU Dr Rukhsana Zuberi introduced the theme of the conference and introduced the speakers to the participants of the conference.
She in her brief remarks said that the conference had international participation. The following sessions would concentrate on the issues that the family physicians should deal with. At the conclusion of the conference its recommendations would be circulated among the stakeholders for necessary action/guidance and for future consideration.
Professor Mohammed Khurshid, Dean, Medical College, AKU; Professor Riaz Qureshi, Chair, Department of Family Medicine, AKU; Dr David Taylor, Acting Provost, AKU; Professor Shatendra Gupta, President WONCA MESAR Region, World Organisation of Family Doctors; Dr Garth Manning, Medical Director, International Development Programme, Royal College of General Practitioner, UK; and Professor Rosslyne Freeman also spoke.
The conference will conclude on Sunday.