Ateneo de Manila University

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THE PHILIPPINE ACADEMY OF FAMILY PHYSICIANS, INC. ___________________________________________________ PROCEEDINGS OF THE ORIENTATION COURSE IN FAMILY MEDICINE Contributors: 1. Zorayda Leopando, M.D. 2. Alejandro Pineda, Jr.,M.D. 3. Nelson Rodriguez, M.D. 4. Isabelita Samaniego, M.D. Editors: 1. Rosalia Fabia-Bugayong, M.D. 2. Alejandro Pineda, Jr.,M.D. (1999) 2244 TAFT AVENUE, MALATE, MANILA 1004 TEL. 516-2900 TEL./FAX NO. 254-5646 1 TABLE OF CONTENTS I. Family Medicine: History And Perspective II. Family As A Unit Of Care III. Family Life Cycle IV. Impact Of Illness On The Family V. Tools In Family Assessment 2 ___________________________________________________ THE PHILIPPINE ACADEMY OF FAMILY PHYSICIANS, INC. ___________________________________________________ FAMILY MEDICINE: HISTORY AND PERSPECTIVE 3 FAMILY MEDICINE: HISTORY & PERSPECTIVES ZORAYDA E. LEOPANDO, MD HISTORICAL BACKGROUND A. INTERNATIONAL PERSPECTIVES There was a time when health care was provided by general practitioners right in the patients’ homes. The emergence of the different clinical specialties and subspecialties that focused on the different organ systems or diseases came about with increased body of knowledge in medicine. Progress in technology and medical know-how led to the establishment of medical centers and health care complexes , which eventually became the locus of health care and services. At the limelight were specialties and subspecialties. It has been said that the art of general practice was not emphasized in medical education and clinical practice. Medical graduates wanted to become specialists as the emerging role models in medical institutions were the specialists. Medical care naturally evolved into an organ or system focused practice leading to a fragmented and depersonalized care. Curative medicine was given more emphasis over preventive medicine. Health care was said to have become fragmented, depersonalized and costly. A series of events in the 1960s led to the emergence of Family Medicine. 1962 The WHO Expert Committee on Professional and Technical Education and Medical Auxiliary Personnel met in Geneva. 1. There was a need to train family doctors to serve as physicians of first contact with the patient 2. That every medical student's training should include exposure to family practice. 1962 Folsom Committee Report (National Health Council and APHA) 1. Every individual should have a personal physician who is a central point for integra