The principles of Family Medicine have been adopted by the majority of advanced healthcare systems around the world and are based on the following:
- Patients First – keeping the needs and comfort of the patient first and foremost throughout their experience in the clinic
- Evidence-Based Medicine – treatment based on assured diagnostics
- Professionalism – appropriate professional conduct in order to create patient confidence
- Advancement – continual training, knowledge development and self-learning of physicians
- Patient Advocacy – a commitment to strengthen and maintain patient trust throughout patients’ healthcare experience
- Holistic Healthcare – a combined approach to treatment that recognizes, where necessary, the need for counseling and alternative therapies
As the first point of contact in the SKMC system, Family Medicine Clinics are the core around which the entire health care system is built. The aim of SKMC Family Medicine Clinics is to provide preventative and primary care for common medical complaints, and to undertake early diagnosis and referral when specialty consultations are required.
Within Abu Dhabi city, there are six Family Medicine Clinics that provide integrated services, and form part of Sheikh Khalifa Medical City. These clinics are:
Family Medicine Physicians have specific post-graduate qualifications which allows them to work within the SKMC Family Medicine system. Therefore patient care is provided by world-class professionals who are dedicated to the continuous development of medicine and strive to be the best in their field.
Family Medicine Clinics are strategically situated around the island of Abu Dhabi to serve residents across the city, and provide services for the entire family. These services include screening programs, immunization programs, prenatal and neonatal care, women’s health program, child development, teen health, acute to chronic adult care, geriatric care, mental health care, community outreach and education, minor procedures/surgeries, research, referral management, counseling and a home care program.
Family Physicians specialise in primary care of all family members. Their goal is to provide preventative and primary care across the spectrum of common complaints and concerns that patients may encounter. When additional specialty consultative opinions and care are required, Family Physicians take on the task of coordinating these referrals for the patient's overall care.
Physicians care for several members, perhaps even generations of the same family so it is wise to choose the family medicine clinic closest to your residential area. Our team make a point of knowing the family health history of a patient and how it will contribute to the patient's overall health. Family Physicians also pay special attention to preventative medicine and screening programs.
SKMC believes that in order to deliver a high quality of care, individuals should have easy access to continual care. A call center was recently established to facilitate appointments at the Family Medicine Clinics, and patients also have access to online appointment requests. Appointments are usually given on the same day that the patient request is made.