SPECIAL THEME: INAUGURAL ISSUE OF THE MALAYSIAN FAMILY PHYSICIAN

MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRMAN OF COUNCIL

The Journal of the Academy has come a long way. Over the years it has reflected the development of Primary Care Medicine i.e. general practice into a recognised speciality internationally. The Malaysian counterparts were among the very few around the world, who were the very early responders in leading Malaysia as one of the founder members of WONCA. Our leading general practitioners paved the way in Malaysia by the formation of the GP College in Malaysia and they have pioneered the speciality not only within the profession but also in the academic world.

The Journal therefore holds a special place in the hearts of general practitioners. The Council is glad to see that the Journal has kept pace with the world and is getting a new identity by doing Malaysia proud in calling it the Malaysian Family Physician.

The launch of the Malaysian Family Physician is timely especially when the new identity is being released during our 33rd Annual General Meeting. There is therefore a measure of unprecedented enthusiasm surrounding the release of this issue.

It is gratifying to note that this Journal has attracted submissions from various groups, among them practising general practitioners, specialists and academics. Indeed, interchange and thoughtful discussions among these groups will augur well for the discipline. I note also an electronic version of the Journal is now available at our Academy website, thus allowing wider dissemination of the useful updates in the journal. The articles in this Journal are now noticeably more research focused – some of the findings reported are generated via our own Malaysian Primary Care Research Group (MPCRG). Nonetheless, there are many review articles and quizzes that may interest the vocational trainees.

It is hoped that all members take this opportunity to support our own Journal by regular reading, submitting your articles or sending in your views.

Happy reading.

(signed)
Datuk Associate Professor (B) Dr DM Thuraiappah
Chairman of Council
Academy of Family Physicians of Malaysia