Abstract
Objective. To explore the opinions of the general public and the doctors on the change to a family medicine (FM)-based health care system.
Methods. Qualitative study with focus groups of doctors working in different practice settings. Quantitative study with questionnaires sent to all doctors registered in Hong Kong and a telephone survey targeting the general public aged >= 18.
Results. Doctors in the focus groups generally supported a FM-based health care system. They were concerned that there were not enough family doctors for such a system and the patients' current free choice of any doctor for primary care would impede its success. Thousand six hundred and forty-seven adults took part in the telephone survey (response rate 67.6%) and 2310 doctors (22.8%) responded to the questionnaire. Nearly 95% of the general public respondents agreed to the FM system though only 66.3% of them had ever heard of the term family doctor. About 65% of the doctors supported this system but only 33% agreed that the system would work. The specialist-doctors were less supportive of mandatory referral than the non-specialists, while the public was equally divided on this issue.
Conclusions. The public accepts the FM-based system but needs education on the benefits of primary health care. Direct access to the specialist would be the greatest barrier. Government involvements are essential for the reform.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 49 - 55 |
| Number of pages | 7 |
| Journal | Family Practice |
| Volume | 28 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2011 |