Training system in Lithuania for Family doctors

After 6 years of basic medicine studies and 1 year of medical internship, young doctor can choose residency of Family medicine in Lithuania

The Family medicine residency consists of 3 years practical and theoretical studies. During the residency, doctor resident must study: family medicine (71 credit); pediatrics (it consists pediatrics emergency, ophthalmology, ENT, primary care) (24 credits); Internal medicine (15 credits); surgery (9 credits) (it consists orthopedic -traumathology, outpatient surgery, outpatient ENT practice). Also residents must study ophthalmology, dermatology, obstetrics - gynecology and neurology. There is final exam at the end of the residency.

Primary health care in Lithuania

Primary health care and Family doctor institution is basic in Lithuanian developing health care system. At the moment primary health care services can be provided in Primary health care centers, in the Family doctors offices, nursing and palliative care hospitals, in outpatient departments. The sponsorship of primary health care system from compulsory health insurance fund depends on the number of patients assigned to the institution, patients age, also for performance of preventive health care programs and good results of the job.

The family physician takes care of the patients from infant till old people. The family doctor acts "gatekeeper" role of health care system - deciding if patient needs specialist consultation or patient's health problem could be solve with family physician competence.

There is performance of preventive programs and vaccination on the family physician competence. There are cervical cancer preventive program (women 25 till 60 years), breast cancer preventive program (women 50 till 69 years), prostate cancer early diagnostics program (men 50-75 years old), large intestine cancer early diagnostics program (men and women 50-74 years), hearth disease preventive program (for men 40-55 years, women 50-65 years) in our country

Also there is social function of the family physician. He is a part of community. Can observe patient's life in community and decide if he needs special care or special abilities. 

National Exchange Coordinator for Lithuania

Dr Deividas Jurevicius (deividas.jurevicius@gmail.com)