Page 160 - Hospital Authority Convention 2018

Masterclasses Masterclasses
HOSPITAL AUTHORITY CONVENTION 2018

M8.1 The Role of Family Medicine in Chronic Disease 09:00 Convention Hall A
Management

What Can Family Physicians Do in Managing Patients with Chronic Diseases in the Community?
CHAN AMW
The Hong Kong College of Family Physicians, Hong Kong

The knowledge of local community resources and versatility of family physicians are best suit to deal with chronic disease
management in the community. Control of these non-communicable diseases relies on primary, secondary, tertiary and even
quaternary prevention. Since the introduction of General Outpatient Clinic Public-Private Partnership Programme by the
Hospital Authority in mid-2014, there is a gradual shift of chronic disease management from the public to private sector but
the pace is slow. With an ageing population, the management of chronic diseases among the elderly in primary care setting
will need appropriate resources allocation and manpower. The importance of primary care is undeniable in Hong Kong.
However, less than 10% of local medical graduates have the opportunity to train in family medicine, well below the figure of
developed healthcare systems in other countries.

M8.2 The Role of Family Medicine in Chronic Disease 09:00 Convention Hall A
Management

Disease Prevention in the Elders
Lee RSY
Elderly Health Service, Department of Health, The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
Tuesday, 8 May 2018 of these risk factors are potentially modifiable, either by individuals or change in their immediate environments. Therefore,
Hong Kong is undergoing a demographic transformation with a significant increase in both the number and proportion of
older people in the population. With an advancing age, the impact of non-genetic factors such as lifestyles increases. Many
preventive care especially health promotion is of paramount importance towards active ageing.

Older adults often have a wide range of healthcare needs which bring challenges to healthcare workers to develop integrated
services. Family physicians, being the first point-of-contact, are in a prime position in preventive care for the elders. This
includes health promotion, risk assessment, disease detection, follow-up care after medical conditions of patients are
stabilised and after discharge from hospital. We are also coordinators to advise and direct patients for necessary and
appropriate multidisciplinary and specialist healthcare services.
The Elderly Health Centres of the Department of Health aim to address multiple health needs of elderly by providing
integrated primary healthcare services to them. Preventive, promotive and curative services are provided from a family
medicine perspective using a multidisciplinary team approach. Elders aged 65 or above are eligible for enrolling as members
of Elderly Health Centres. Enrolled members are provided with services of health assessment, counselling, health education
and curative treatment. The Hong Kong Reference Framework for Preventive Care for Older Adults in Primary Care Settings
published by the Primary Care Office of Department of Health also provides updated evidence-based recommendations with
a view to enhancing the health of older adults. It provides a common reference to healthcare professionals in Hong Kong for
continuing and comprehensive care for elders in the community.

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