In this special video for World Family Doctors' Day, leading voices in global and Indian healthcare reflect on the enduring relevance of family doctors. From Dr. Anil Kumar R of Aster Medcity to Prof. John Wynn Jones of WONCA Rural, and respected practitioners across India, the message is clear: family physicians are more than generalists — they are trusted allies in a patient's lifelong journey. In an age of super-specialization, they bring continuity, context, and cost-effective care. The video highlights the vital role of family medicine in modern healthcare, urging a return to relationship-based, holistic healing. Dr Harish Pillai

Shahid Akhter, Editor, HealthYouOnline, spoke to various doctors to figure out the evolving role and relevance of family physicians in today’s healthcare system — exploring how they continue to provide trusted, holistic care amidst the rise of super-specialisation.

Dr. Anil Kumar. R, Lead Consultant Cardiologist, Aster Medcity, KOCHI

When I graduated from, MBBS, there were a lot of general physicians around. In fact, the family physician was an integral part of the family. He used to know every single member. He used to know what are the illnesses likely to happen? What is the genetic basis of disease? And he used to treat everything. Is that acceptable now? 

I don't think so. But in an era of super specialization, you have to also understand that the role of the family physician has been diluted too much. In Western countries, you have a system where there are general practitioners who can be who can identify the patient's illnesses and refer at the timely moment. 

Prof. John Wynn Jones, Past Chair, WONCA Rural, UK

A family physician or a family medicine specialist is somebody to whom you can take any problem at any time, and expect to get some advice as to what to do with it. So let's say, for example, you are concerned about a particular pain or a particular lump or something that you don't understand. A family physician will be able to tell you, is this serious or is this not?

Does this need further investigation, or is this something that will go away on its own or something that you don't need to worry about? the family physician is also somebody who understands you and your family and has probably seen you a number of times before. So it's somebody in whom you have trust and are able to develop a relationship over time. And this makes all the difference, as opposed to going to this doctor, to that doctor, to this hospital, to that laboratory, where nobody knows you. And so this idea of family medicine is one of, relationship between you and, a physician that carries great significance because, they know you and you know them. And that makes all the difference when you're concerned about, what to do in a particular situation. Family medicine is the discipline that will help you sort out what is serious from what is not serious 

Dr. Rajkumar Ramasamy, Family Physician, Lower Kudaikanal Hills, TAMIL NADU

Go and see a good family physician because a good family physician will understand you. They look at all the things that you face as a family, as a person. Maybe in the work that you have, they'll listen to your story, they will check you out, they'll check your blood pressure and other things.

Dr. BC Rao, Former President, Family Physicians Association, BENGALURU

One of the primary duties of a family physician is to save the patient’s trouble and unnecessary expenditure.  

Dr. Harsh Pillai, CEO, Metro Pacific Health, PHILIPPINES

To the family's health, the role of a family physician is very important. I'm glad that, there are many, family physician courses now available in India, and many more, students are coming to pick up this field. So the future for family medicine is very bright in India.