1. Family Medicine Development in the Land of Colors and Wonders
Vivek S. Kantayya, M.D.
Farion R. Williams, M.D.
University of Illinois College of Medicine – Rockford
Department of Family and Community Medicine

2. Family Medicine in India
Family Medicine recognized in India as a medical specialty in 1983
National Board of Examination
Full-time residency programs introduced during the late 1990s
Mainly in Mission Hospitals
Momentum for Family Medicine training in primarily to support the National Rural Health Mission

3. Christian Medical College - Vellore

4. Building a Bridge

5. Building Trust

6. Need for a Symbiotic Relationship

7. Importance of Being Non-Judgmental

8. Eye Opening Experience

9. A Trusting Relationship Built

10. Christian Medical College - Vellore
Family Physicians hired starting in 2000
Post Graduate Training Program sponsored through National Board Examination route
Department of Family Medicine formed in 2007
Support from senior faculty and administration

11. CMC - Challenges Paucity of proper role models
What should family physicians trained in India be expected to do?
Lack of scholarly activity in Family Medicine for the development of the discipline

12. Fast Forward 2012
CMC accreditation site visit by the Medical Council of India
Withdrawal of National Board of Examination training program
CMC tasked by Medical Council of India to develop Family Medicine curriculum and training standards for Family Medicine nationally

13. CMC visits – February 2013 and February 2014
Faculty Development efforts
Family in Family Medicine
Developing a Family Medicine Training Unit
Providing Evidence-Based Patient-Centered Care
Developing curriculum in meeting population health needs
Assessment/Evaluation
Small Group Teaching principles
Recruiting Medical Students to Family Medicine
Principles of Assessment

14. Progress to Date 2 yr Family Medicine Diploma Course
Distance Learning
Submitted Application for “MD” in Family Medicine to Medical Council of India
Approved for 4 positions per year
Submitted formal curriculum standards for Family Medicine to Medical Council of India
Established an independent Family Medicine Faculty Practice site
Lessons learned from our experience

15. Ongoing Family Medicine Efforts Nationally in India
Other Medical Colleges are looking at establishing Family Medicine Departments
Debate whether should be included within Community Medicine vs. Being Independent
Government Medical College, Kozhikode
Started “MD” program in Family Medicine – 2 positions

16. Bibliography
Abraham, S. “Practicing and Teaching Family Medicine in India.” Fam Med Oct;39(9):671-2
Kumar, R. “Family Medicine at AIIMS (All India Institute of Medical Sciences) Like Institutes.” J Family Med Prim Care Jul-Dec, 1(2): 81-83
Velavan J. “The Refer Less Resolve More Initiative: A Five-year Experience from CMC Vellore, India.” J Family Med Prim Care Jan-Jun, 1(1): 3-6