World Family Doctor Day

Supriya Jain
Dec 22, 2023 By Supriya Jain
Originally Published on Mar 16, 2022
Fact-checked by Gowri Rao
World Family Doctor Day honors the central role of primary healthcare services.

Where is World Family Doctor Day celebrated?

World Family Doctor Day is a global event and is celebrated worldwide.

Who is World Family Doctor Day celebrated by?

World Family Doctor Day is celebrated by family physicians and other healthcare workers, among others.

When did World Family Doctor Day first start?

On May 19, 2010, World Family Doctor Day was celebrated for the first time.

Who started World Family Doctor Day?

WONCA was the organization that started celebrating this day.

History And Timeline

Most of the time, this day comes with a specific theme on which the events for the day revolve around. Some of the important days and events of World Family Doctor Day are as follows:

WONCA First Celebrates Doctors

World Family Doctor Day was first declared by WONCA on May 19, 2010, to highlight the role and contribution of family doctors and primary-care teams in healthcare systems around the world.  

2010

Choice Of Themes for Fifth Celebration

The two suggested themes for 2015 were 'A family doctor for every family' and 'Universal Health Coverage'. Local organizations were free to pick their own themes pertaining to local current affairs.

2015

Eighth Year Celebrates Better Health

'Leading the way to better health' was chosen as the theme.

2018

Covid Warriors Celebrated

'Family doctors on the frontline' became the theme for the event.

2020

Future Of Family Doctors

The theme for 2021 was 'Building the future with family doctors'.

2021

Traditions And Customs

After the first declaration, this day has been gaining more attention every year. Different events like meetings, activities, and celebrations are held to highlight the contributions made by family doctors every year, globally.

Getting recognition for family doctors helps increase their morale. The day is used to highlight important issues, working conditions, and to show gratitude for their services.

Ways To Celebrate World Family Doctor Day

Every year, a theme is decided on around which different events are organized. For instance, on May 19, 2019, the theme was 'Caring for you for the whole of your life'. 

There are meetings, fun activities, and celebrations held all around the globe where family doctors are appreciated for their contributions to the medical care industry. 

There are conferences and events, or you can help in organizing events or celebrations yourself. Even sending a card of appreciation to your family doctor is a simple way to honor the day and show you value them.

Facts And Stats

  • There are some interesting facts about your family doctor, such as:
  • Family physicians are more equitably distributed than hospital physicians and are thus more accessible to people in the healthcare industry.
  • Family physicians act as a link between healthcare centers and more specialized medical centers for family medicine.
  • Family physicians have quicker access to your health records, and are also easier to see than hospital doctors.

How can we help?

Doctors often start consultations with these words and World Family Doctor Day helps us give back to them, by appreciating their services and providing them with moral support.

Do doctors feel proud about World Family Doctor Day?

Doctors feel proud to be able to help their community and save lives, and are also proud to be appreciated.

What are some contributions of the medical association towards World Family Doctor Day?

In 2017, the American Medical Association (AMA) encouraged members to wear the World Family Doctor Day logo to remind communities of the holistic service family doctors provide.

Why is World Family Doctor Day needed in society?

This day is required so that attention can be given towards the importance of work carried out by family doctors, a recognition of their issues, and the need to lift their morale.

When and why did World Family Doctor Day come about?

WONCA started this day in 2010 to raise awareness of issues related to family doctors, a day to facilitate them and provide them with gratitude and support.

When Is This Day Celebrated

  • Tuesday, May 19, 2020
  • Wednesday, May 19, 2021
  • Thursday, May 19, 2022
  • Friday, May 19, 2023
  • Sunday, May 19, 2024

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Written by Supriya Jain

Bachelor of Commerce, Master of Business Administration specializing in Marketing

Supriya Jain picture

Supriya JainBachelor of Commerce, Master of Business Administration specializing in Marketing

As a skilled member of the Kidadl team, Shruti brings extensive experience and expertise in professional content writing. With a Bachelor's degree in Commerce from Punjab University and an MBA in Business Administration from IMT Nagpur, Shruti has worked in diverse roles such as sales intern, content writer, executive trainee, and business development consultant. Her exceptional writing skills cover a wide range of areas, including SOP, SEO, B2B/B2C, and academic content.

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Fact-checked by Gowri Rao

Bachelor of Arts specializing in Economics

Gowri Rao picture

Gowri RaoBachelor of Arts specializing in Economics

With a bachelor's degree in Economics from Krea University, Gowri is a highly skilled data analyst and an expert in regression and causation modeling. Her interests in economic trends, finance, and investment research complement her professional expertise. In addition to her professional pursuits, Gowri enjoys swimming, running, and playing the drums, and she is also a talented tutor.

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