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The 21^st Century: The Age of Family Medicine Research?

Family Medicine Unit, Department of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR

CORRESPONDING AUTHOR: Cindy L. K. Lam, MD, 3^rd Floor, Ap Lei Chau Clinic, 161 Main Street, Ap Lei Chau, Hong Kong, SAR, clklam{at}hku.hk

Family medicine has matured as an academic and scientific discipline with its own core concepts, knowledge, skills, and research domains. It has acquired much expertise in studying common illnesses; the integration of medical, psychological, social, and behavioral sciences; patient-centered care; and health services delivery. Many health care challenges in the 21st century will place a great demand on primary care, which can serve its purpose only if it is of high quality and evidence based. Family medicine research can contribute to many areas of primary care, ranging from the early diagnosis to equitable health care. Stakeholders, such as the World Health Organization, governments, and funding agencies, are becoming more supportive to family medicine research because they recognize its key importance in improving the quality of primary care and bridging the gap between biomedical research and clinical practice. Family medicine can play a leading role in shifting the paradigm of medical research from the laboratory to the person.

The 21st century should be a golden age of family medicine research because the time is right for the discipline, the health care environment is most suitable, and stakeholders are supportive. Family medicine must prepare for it by building up its research track record and capacity.

Key Words: Family medicine • research • primary health care • Chinese

This article has been cited by other articles:

				C. van Weel and W. W. Rosser Improving Health Care Globally: A Critical Review of the Necessity of Family Medicine Research and Recommendations to Build Research Capacity Ann. Fam. Med, May 1, 2004; 2(suppl_2): S5 - S16. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

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