Not a big deal, right?
But then, complications arise. During your hospital stay, you contract pneumonia from a resistant hospital-acquired infection. (Approximately 10%!! of patients experience in-hospital issues) Now, not only are you dealing with the pain of a fractured hip, but you’re also battling pneumonia, needing oxygen therapy, antibiotics and facing a longer, more challenging recovery.

It’s unlikely anyone will question why you stumbled, but the truth is you’ve been experiencing vision problems for months. The vision loss prevented you from noticing that step, leading to your fall. It turns out that the root cause of your vision troubles was undiagnosed diabetes, which, if diagnosed early, is perfectly treatable.

A simple visit to your family physician could have prevented a cascade of health issues, including a broken leg and pneumonia. By scheduling a routine physical exam, undergoing basic lab tests, and receiving personalized dietary advice and medical education, you might have avoided a hospital stay altogether.
Now, instead of a brief check-up, you’re facing months of recovery with a new hip and permanent vision loss.

Why was it not prevented?

Healthcare is the backbone of society, yet every year, we seem to lose sight of its true essence. The spotlight often shines on hospital specialists who focus on a narrow range of health issues, boast publications in prestigious journals, and become the go-to experts for politicians eager to showcase their investment in cutting-edge robotic surgical techniques—usually timed conveniently before elections. Let’s be honest, that’s flashy, captivating, and yes, undeniably impressive.

But what if we shifted our priorities?

Countless times, I find myself pondering: Why did I become a doctor?

Some doctors are motivated by financial incentives (Although not in the Spanish public system). Others pursue their careers for the prestige or the competitive nature of their specialties—like surgeons or cardiologists. There are the adrenaline seekers who thrive in the fast-paced chaos of the Emergency Room.

But when I told my uncle that I planned to pursue Family Medicine, he responded with, “Just a Family Doctor? Aren’t you going to specialise?”

This reaction is, unfortunately, quite common. Many don’t realise that it requires years of dedication and hard work to reach the titel Family Doctor. We independently manage approximately 80% of the patients! However, in 2024, Madrid allocated only 11% of public health expenditure to Primary Care, while Andalusia dedicated 18.45%. Both figures remain far below the 25% recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO).
Clearly, the priorities need serious reevaluation

So why Family Medicine?

The keyword is Family. Family Physicians stand by us through every chapter of life. From childhood scratches and foolish teenage decisions, the ups and downs of adult life until life’s final stages.
While prescribing tests, medications, or referring patients to specialists is part of the role, the true fulfilment lies in building connections, education and prevention, empowering individuals to live a life of purpose and quality on their own, and providing comfort and dignity when the end draws near.

It is truly humbling to see people at their most vulnerable moments, they share their fears, pain and worries with us, to be invited into their homes and they entrust us their most valuable asset; their life.

This profound human experience that makes the profession so deeply rewarding despite the long hours, social under-appreciation and frustration due to lack of funding.

So find a family doctor you trust—someone who genuinely listens to you. Share your concerns, your experiences, and your challenges with them. Together, you can define what quality of life means to you and work proactively to prevent your version of a broken hip and pneumonia. 😉