The experience of Hospital da Luz Lisboa and its Service of General and Family Medicine (GFM) was one of the topics in highlight, in the world congress of general and family doctors, which took place in Sydney (Australia), between the 26 and 29 October. The presentation was selected by WONCA (the World Organization of Family Doctors), in the category “Impact innovation”, and it was João Sequeira Carlos , the director of the GFM Service, who explained to the congress attendees how the service was created and how it has evolved since the hospital opening in 2007. “With 27 specialized physicians – always available via in-person consultations, video consultations and emergency care –, the GFM Service works as a true health center within the hospital unit . It operates in network with the other specialties, therefore establishing an innovative model at the level of primary healthcare”, pointed out João Sequeira Carlos. The activity of GFM at Hospital da Luz Lisboa, he added, is also developed at the level of clinical research (there are several studies in progress in the areas of disease prevention and multi-morbidity) and teaching (receiving, for instance, Medicine students from Universidade Católica Portuguesa). Next WONCA congress in Lisbon Founded in 1972, WONCA gathers presently around 500 thousand members, from different universities, hospital centers and GFM scientific societies. This congress in Sydney counted with the presence of over four thousand family doctors. Lisbon will receive the next world congress, the WONCA World Conference, in September 2025. In the organization of this gathering, João Sequeira Carlos will preside over the respective Scientific Committee. GFM is the medical specialty dedicated to the health follow-up of individuals across all ages. The GFM doctors are present in every moment and the continuity of care is a fundamental feature of their work: they provide care in all stages of the family cycle of life, in coordination with other areas / specialties and health professionals. This relationship of proximity and detailed knowledge of the health of those they follow, means that they have a fundamental role in the promotion of health, prevention disease and in the integrated management of health in its various aspects.
