NAME OF FEATURE | THE GLEANER | FRIDAY, MAY 19, 2023 8 TheWorld Organisation of Family Doctors was established in 1972, Its goal is to elevate family physicians to be better at what they do. World Family Doctors Day is observed on May 19 each year, Jamaica’s theme is very apt. It is ‘Ethical Issues in Family Care’. For inspiration and direction, too, we need not look far and wide. The father of medicine, Hippocrates, will forever remain our guide. Born in 460 BC, this Greek physician lived to be 90 years old, Extollingthepreceptsandprinciples of goodmedicine, hewas very bold. Although translated from an ancient language andmodernised a bit, The Hippocratic Oath remains the gold standard, its pearls today still fit. Engrained within its many gems, it states doctors are to do no harm, Whether with words, pills, liquids, injections, and, perhaps, even a balm. Respecting the privacy of our patients must always be dear to our heart, Guarding that knowledge jealously, onlywith permission to impart. Remembering always that within our hands, life and death both rest, We do everything to keep that in mind by always being at our best. Medicine is a science, but it’s also an art, and that’s very true, Without warmth, sympathy, and understanding, doctors won’t have a clue. We don’t treat illnesses that afflict human beings, it sounds strange to say, We treat humanbeings afflictedby illnesses because that is the rightway. The things of which we are ignorant, we must not be ashamed to admit, We will call on the skills of our colleagues and ask them to do their bit. Humble awareness of our human frailties, with pride we must not be shod, Remaining reverent in administering toothers, wemust never playGod. What we do can affect patients and perhaps their families even more, Always reduce risks because prevention is always better than cure. Respecting ourselves and everyone else we must always guarantee, Ethically, the least that we can do is our very best for everybody. GARTH A. RATTRAY Family Doctor WORLD FAMILY DOCTOR D Y 2023 The Ethical Family Doctor WORLD FAMILY Doctor Day (WFDD) is an annual event that was founded by ONCA in2010.Oneof themaingoals is to emphasise the critical role and contributionsof familydoctors inprovidingexcellent continuinghealthcare to people and their communities. It also aims to promote and encourage continuedacademicpursuits andnetworking. In 2015, WFDD was first actively celebrated in Jamaicaas a result of collaborative efforts of physicians fromthe CaribbeanCollege of Family Physicians (CCFP), the Association of General Practitioners, Jamaica, andthe postgraduate programme of family medicineatTheUniversityof theWest Indies, Mona. This year’s theme is ‘Ethical Issues in Primary Care’. The main elements of the celebration are enhancing public awareness by sharing information in the media; an academic conference, which will be held virtually; and giving back to the community by making donations to worthy causes. We invite you to join us in this charitable venture, our ‘Family Doctor: the heart of healthcare’ project. You may contact the CCFP office at 876-946-0954 or 876-5176636 to plan for your contributions. Family doctors are thebackbone of any effective healthcare system; they are theheart of healthcare. The family doctor provides holistic, comprehensive healthcare on the backgroundof deep, long-term relationships with patients, their families and community. In collaboration with a variety of other specialties, the family doctor works to ensure that patients receive the best possible care globally. Family doctors are advocates for their patients, and also educate patients about their health, including how to manage chronic conditions, make healthy lifestyle choices, and the prevention of disease. Let us continue to work together to strengthen the system, empower our patients, and reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with these conditions. Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to express appreciation to all family doctors, and indeed, all healthcare workers on this occasion of World Family Doctor Day. Thank you for themagnificent work you do every day, despite enormously challenging circumstances, in supporting the health andwell-beingof your patients, your community, your nation, and the world during COVID-19 and beyond! DR ANDREA PURAI World Family Doctor Day
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