DoH: Abu Dhabi’s Primary Healthcare Model elevates the patient experience and enhances the quality of healthcare services

7 Dec, 2022:

The Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, the regulator of the healthcare sector in the Emirate, has called on the community to adopt its new standardised “Primary Healthcare Model” based on the “Family Doctor” concept that centralises the pivotal role of a family physician in improving the patient experience as well as enhancing the quality and efficiency of healthcare.  

The Department highlighted the importance of families and individuals in referring to a singular physician as their primary source for healthcare guidance. The Model enforces the position of a family physician as the focal point for all healthcare services as it provides an integrated, preventive, and curative experience for patients of all ages, according to their health conditions, family history and other relevant factors. As part of its scope of offerings, this model supports prevention and early detection through examinations recommended by family physicians, who have access to patients’ medical history and will provide diagnosis and treatment of acute and chronic illnesses. Additionally, the Model encompasses vaccination records, health education, awareness and guidance as well as management of mild to moderate mental health conditions and meeting urgent and unplanned care requirements.

The Department indicated that the Model seeks to establish a long-term patient-physician relationship among all members of the family. In their capacity, family physicians will be supported by a seamless referral system between doctors, to make sure that patients receive the appropriate service, by specialised doctors. Family physicians will be able to monitor their patients journey across all phases while having access to the history of the care provided in other facilities across the Emirate.

Her Excellency Hind Mubarak Al Zaabi, Executive Director of Healthcare Facilities Sector at the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi said: “Abu Dhabi’s Primary Healthcare Model places patients at the heart of the healthcare system, by strengthening the patient-physician relationship, enhancing communication between them through periodic medical examinations, and accessing the family's medical history.”

Al Zaabi added, “Due to the Primary Healthcare Model, several countries have witnessed remarkable development in their public health and an increase in the efficiency and quality of healthcare services. The Model effectively contributes to the accessibility of healthcare services to all members of the community through ensuring the availability of centres across the various residential areas. It also seeks to enhance the patients’ experience and the quality of the services provided in the Abu Dhabi through the referral system set in-place for doctors to exchange knowledge across the sector.”

Abu Dhabi is home to more than 180 primary healthcare centres spread across the Emirate, and more than 300 doctors are licensed by the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, as family physicians. 
Primary healthcare is led by a family physician with the support of a clinical primary care support team which consists of a group of healthcare professionals, joining efforts to deliver the required health services to patients. 

To learn more about primary health care, visit the website: https://www.doh.gov.ae/ar/programs-initiatives/Primary-Care