A Message to GPs and Family Physicians

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A Message to GPs and Family Physicians

Self-esteem and self-motivation — do not sell yourself short. Unity is power — only we can build ourselves.

The general perception of the General Practitioner has long been skewed. Too often, GPs are seen as dropouts, the bottom of the barrel—lazy, lacking in knowledge, money-hungry, and overly concerned with financial stability and social standing. We are sometimes regarded as the old-time “country doctor,” a jack of all trades but master of none. This perception has contributed to limited earning power in our field, where income seems to depend more on quantity than quality.

But if we are true to our potential in the profession of Family Medicine—the youngest of all medical specialties—this view is far from accurate. Family Practice is much more than simply being a GP. A Family Practitioner is a GP who is intentional about their choice of profession and mode of practice. They understand the important place Family Medicine holds among other medical specialties and how it is increasingly valued by patients.

The successful Family Physician is often the doctor most respected, most trusted, and most loved by patients—a truth even acknowledged by specialists in other fields. Professor Bartholomew once shared his amazement when a patient, whom he had just diagnosed, insisted on discussing the findings with “his doctor” before making any decisions. That “doctor,” of course, was the FP who referred him.

The Specialist for the Patient

The Family Physician is the specialist for the patient—the advocate and voice from cradle to grave, across all ages and genders. I often describe us as the conductors of an orchestra, harmonizing all aspects of patient care in the context of the individual, family, community, and wider society.

We are more than healers and providers. We are problem solvers and guardians of wellness, charged with keeping our patients in the best possible health. As such, the FP must be a lifelong learner, committed to continuous professional growth long after medical school. We must be unafraid to say, “I don’t know—but I will find out or find someone who does.” Integrity, humility, and honesty must remain at the core of our practice.

Beyond the Clinic Walls

The Family Physician is also a businessperson, managing practices, staff, and even collaborating with other specialists or alternative health practitioners. The scope of our work is only limited by our interests, passion, imagination, and time.

FPs are deeply connected to their communities. We live and work where health meets the real world—where social determinants shape outcomes, and technology is an ever-present tool. We are innovators, collaborators, and thinkers. We engage with NGOs, faith-based organizations, businesses, governments, and our peers. Being part of networks like WONCA or CCFP broadens our sense of self and purpose.

Family Practice allows us to nurture relationships, build families, and foster deep human connections. Perhaps this is why so many of our women physicians are drawn to the specialty.

The Power Within Us

The FP can be a sole practitioner, a lecturer, an academic, a researcher, a mentor, a change-maker, or even a politician. The possibilities are endless.

Yet, our greatest challenge in the Caribbean is shortsightedness and insularity. We fail to recognize our collective power—our ability to move as one with purpose and pride. We underestimate ourselves as a specialty, despite being the very bedrock of health systems around the world.

We are still young as a discipline.
But the question remains: Is there still time?

– Dr. Sonia V. Roache-Barker

Dr. Sonia V. Roache-Barker, MBBS (UWI–London), FCCFP

Executive Director, CCFP | Family Physician

January 19, 2024

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