Authors (including presenting author) :
Chan PF(1), Lai KPL(1), Hui YS(1), Chan LN(1)
Affiliation :
(1)Department of Family Medicine and Primary Health Care, Kowloon East Cluster (KEC)
Keyword 1: :
Family Medicine
Keyword 2: :
new smart clinic
Keyword 3: :
patient-centric
Introduction :
The evolution of services in Family Medicine Clinics (FMCs), renamed from General Out-patient Clinics (GOPCs), was drastic after GOPCs were taken over by the Hospital Authority (HA) in 2002-2003. The service provision shifted from a doctor-centric model to Family Medicine specialists led multidisciplinary model. The small and traditionally service-centric design of FMCs could no longer meet the growing service needs, patient needs and technological development in primary care.
Objectives :
1. To design a new smart and patient-centric Family Medicine Clinic in KEC 2. To equip the clinic with new technology and advanced equipment with an aim of enhancing the gatekeeping role of Family Medicine
Methodology :
During planning of construction of a new FMC with net operating floor area of ~1,800 sq. meters in Tseung Kwan O in 2015, several new facilities including negative pressure consultation rooms, vaccination room, resuscitation room, procedure room, rehabilitation room, eye examination room and patient resource corner were included. To further support the rapid development of Family medicine services, an integrated diagnostic room, a teleconsultation zone and a preventive care room were subsequently added. The layout design incorporated the ideas of separating the clinic into distinct zones, providing a patient-friendly clinic environment, reserving sufficient space for self-help services and streamlining patient journeys.
Result & Outcome :
Result and Outcome:
A new FMC had commenced service in Tseung Kwan O since November 2025. Although the clinic was nearly four times the size of an old FMC, most patients would only need to walk for less than 30 seconds from registration counters / kiosks to treatment or consultation room, from consultation room to pharmacy and from pharmacy to exit. Self-help areas were available for registration, payment and blood pressure measurement. In addition to providing spacious waiting areas and standard facilities for patients with disabilities, the clinic also featured a baby care room and guide dog resting areas to support patients with special needs. Furthermore, the clinic was equipped with advanced equipment, including echocardiography, FibroScan, urea breath test, spirometry with fractional exhaled nitric oxide testing function and optical coherence tomography, alongside HA’s new technologies like e-vitals, paperless ECG and eLab screening. These features aimed to support various new services in the clinic and further enhance the gatekeeping role of Family Medicine. Conclusion:
In line with the Primary Care Blueprint and HA strategic planning, the development and strengthening of primary care were of the upmost importance. All new FMCs should incorporate a smart and patient-centric design.
