Do family physicians suffer an identity crisis? A perspective of family physicians in Bangalore city

BACKGROUND: The need of the hour in Indian healthcare is well-qualified, competent family physicians, but there is an overwhelming importance given to specialized medical care. Family physicians feel that they do not get the recognition they deserve. This study was undertaken to explore the views and perceptions of family physicians and residents about their specialty. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 110 doctors who are undergoing family medicine (FM) residency and practicing family physicians in Bangalore. The questionnaire was developed with domains on patient or family relationship, balancing breadth and depth in practice, comprehensive nature of patient care, career flexibility, and patient advocacy. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 17.0, and P value less than 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. RESULTS: The majority of the participants (55.5%) felt that there is poor acceptance among the people about FM doctor as a specialist. A significant proportion (39.1%) of them indicated that thought of “Jack of all trades and Master of none” bothers them much. More than 90% of respondents felt a sense of pride being family physicians. FM practitioners (28.4 ± 3.1) had a good perception score when compared with residents (27 ± 3.6) (P < 0.05). There was a significant difference among FM residents and practitioners on being pride of FM physician sense of belonging to larger community FM physicians. CONCLUSION: FM residents go through more identity crisis when compared with practitioners. This can be addressed well by incorporating FM curriculum in undergraduate medical training and strong FM department where students have role model as mentors and take FM as specialty as their preferred choice.