Return of the family doctor

Some 40 years ago when my septuagenarian grandmother sustained a pelvic fracture, our family doctor — a general practioner — drove up to our house, examined her, wrote out a prescription, collected a reasonable fee and promised to visit again when required.

No calling ambulances and no drama at crowded hospitals. If needed, we could even call a physiotherapist home.

Hospitals were meant for those patients who could not be treated at home. Private nursing homes did not exist then. How easy life was in those days!

However, the entire scenario has changed today. Growing health consciousness and commercial concerns have led to the mushrooming of nursing homes. But in the process, the species called family physician aka general practitioner has become almost extinct, at least in the metros, much to the detriment of the middle class.

Last month, I was delightfully surprised to learn that some of the well-known older generation surgeons, physicians and heads of tertiary care centres in Delhi initiated efforts that could lead to what I would call The Return of the Family Doctor. This was a welcome move on the eve of the new year.

The senior specialists are of the view that the absence of the family doctor is forcing most patients to rush to them (specialists) even for minor problems.

This trend is causing overcrowding at the already overburdened secondary and tertiary medical care centres, and patients pay through their nose to treat minor ailments.

Regular commuting to the hospital, arranging accommodation and other logistical problems weigh heavily on mind and purse. Many patient could be spared the misery by the family doctor. The senior doctors were correct when they say patients rush to super speciality hospitals even for simple things like dressing of a wound.

Close relationship

I agree that the good old family doctor has an edge over hospital doctors. By treating members of a family and remaining in constant touch with them, he or she becomes an integral part of that family.

Being conversant with the medical history of each family member, the family doctor is better equipped to treat them even for serious ailments. All that is needed is to acquaint them with the latest scientific advances and treatment methodology.

While all enlightened people would welcome the move to bring back the family physician, I see two spokes in the wheel. One, people who have taken health insurance policies would prefer to go to designated hospitals to ensure reimbursement of hospital expenses.

Two, the affluent might prefer to go to a super speciality hospital even for minor problems because funds are no constraint for them.

Nevertheless, I have a feeling that the return of the family doctor would benefit the lower, lower middle class and the middle class, who cannot afford to pay a premium to treat simple ailments.    

Lalit Raizada is a journalist based in India.