The Image Of The Family Doctor In Society

Abstract

INTRODUCTION/CONTEXT The family doctor is the backbone of primary health care delivery and the only source of continuous coverage of patients in the community with quality and appropriate health care. The public image of a family doctor is shaped by inner qualities and individual characteristics as well as professional qualifications. Image formation is the consequence of self-expressive characteristics of attractive personality, which should be constantly improved and actively used. The positive image of a family doctor is crucial in his/her professional work.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the factors contributing to the image of the family doctor - in order to develop recommendations, which would contribute to improve and increase the recognition of the primary care physician in society. In order to achieve this aim, we proposed to achieve some specific objectives: to analyze the literature and international practices regarding the formation and promotion of the image of the family doctor in society; to identify the factors that contribute to the formation of the reputation and authority of family doctors in society, in the view of the representatives of this profession; to evaluate the opinion of the population regarding the image of the family doctor; to elaborate recommendations, which would contribute to the improvement and increase of the recognition of the primary health care doctor in society.

MATERIALS AND METHODS. A quantitative and a qualitative study was conducted. The quantitative study consisted in the application of a questionnaire, namely a population-based survey applied on a calculated sample (423 adults from the Republic of Moldova who gave their consent to participate). The qualitative study was carried out by planning and applying 5 focus groups, with the participation of family doctors from different geographical regions of the country - north, south, centre and Chisinau municipality. The results of the research reflected the opinions of the population on the image of family doctors in society, as well as the views of family doctors on the factors that contribute to their reputation and authority in society, and proposals for certain actions that could improve their image.

CONCLUSIONS. The specialty of "Family Doctor" is one of the specialties that is not regarded with great interest, and this interest is low even among medical students and continues to remain at the same level of interest among medical specialists, who not infrequently show disrespect and underestimate their role and image in society. The causes of a poor image include a very high workload and insufficient coverage by medical professionals. Despite this trend, the image of family doctors has increased during the Covid-19 pandemic and continues to grow, and the factors contributing to this increase are largely represented by professionalism and communication skills.