Family medicine, recognized as a specialty in India since the 1980s, remains under-implemented, with limited training programs and scarce data on physician practices. In the first national survey of family medicine (n=272), 61% reported full-time in-person residency, while 39% pursued part-time or distance-based training. Irrespective of pathway, postgraduate training enhanced confidence, scope of care, and interprofessional teamwork. Notably, 39.3% of respondents work in rural areas—a higher rural representation compared to physicians overall—where they provide broader services such as office-based surgeries, splinting, and vaginal deliveries.
Nearly half (48.3%) practice primarily in the primary care sector, underscoring the specialty’s vital role in bridging India’s healthcare gaps. Read the full survey results and discover what they mean for the future of primary care in India. …
