Family physicians make vital contribution to health care

They may be few in number, but South Africa’s family physicians make a significant contribution to health care in the country. They help to strengthen the country’s district health system and improve the health and well-being of millions of people who can’t afford medical insurance.

This is one of the key findings of a new study at Stellenbosch University (SU).

“Family physicians help to alleviate the quadruple burden of HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis; maternal and child health problems; non-communicable diseases as well as trauma and violence-related injuries among many South Africans,” says Dr Klaus von Pressentin, a family physician from Mossel Bay.

Von Pressentin recently obtained his doctorate in Family Medicine at SU under the supervision of Prof Bob Mash from the Division of Family Medicine and Primary Care in SU’s Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. The study aimed to evaluate the contribution of family physicians to South Africa’s district health system. Read more at: http://www.sun.ac.za/english/Lists/news/DispForm.aspx?ID=5393