About the Department of Family Medicine
Family Medicine is a vital medical specialty that delivers comprehensive and continuous healthcare to individuals and families, integrating both preventive and curative approaches. It is a broad discipline that brings together biological, clinical, and behavioural sciences, enabling family physicians to provide holistic care across all stages of life.
In today’s increasingly fragmented healthcare environment, family physicians remain committed to treating the whole person, not just the disease. The foundation of family medicine lies in the enduring, personal physician-patient relationship, emphasizing continuity, integrated care, and a deep understanding of patients’ social and community contexts.
The Department of Family Medicine at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya plays a pioneering role in undergraduate and postgraduate medical education in Sri Lanka. Undergraduate teaching is delivered through the Professional Development and Behaviour (PDB) strand, combining didactic lectures, interactive small group sessions, and a one-month clinical rotation at the University Family Medicine Clinic (UFMC). This training fosters essential clinical, communication, and person-centered care skills from the early years of medical education.
Established in 1996, the University Family Medicine Centre provides accessible, community-based medical care to faculty staff, students, and the surrounding population. It also serves as a recognized training site by the Postgraduate Institute of Medicine (PGIM) for postgraduate programs, including the Diploma in Family Medicine and the MD in Family Medicine.
The Department is also known for its strong commitment to community outreach and social responsibility. Since 2010, the department has organized annual social welfare projects, including health camps and medical exhibitions in underserved and post-conflict areas such as the Northern and Eastern provinces, aiming to support resettled communities and promote health equity.
Our academic contributions extend beyond teaching and service. The Department actively engages in research on critical areas of primary care,
including:
• Primary care morbidity patterns
• Referral practices and consultation behavior
• Patient satisfaction and treatment adherence (e.g., diabetic medication)
• Cervical HPV infection
• Bronchial asthma in primary care
• Community symptom surveillance
• Global family medicine trends using bibliometric analysis
• Medical education, medical informatics, and patient demand dynamics
Recent and ongoing research initiatives also include:
• Asthma care in primary care settings in Sri Lanka
• Acne and its psychosocial impact among clinic attendees
• Myths and beliefs influencing health-seeking behavior among patients
• A qualitative study on cultural competence in clinical communication among family physicians
Through these activities, the Department of Family Medicine continues to lead the way in advancing primary care practice, research, and education—both locally and internationally.
Family Medicine is a vital medical specialty that delivers comprehensive and continuous healthcare to individuals and families, integrating both preventive and curative approaches. It is a broad discipline that brings together biological, clinical, and behavioural sciences, enabling family physicians to provide holistic care across all stages of life.
In today’s increasingly fragmented healthcare environment, family physicians remain committed to treating the whole person, not just the disease. The foundation of family medicine lies in the enduring, personal physician-patient relationship, emphasizing continuity, integrated care, and a deep understanding of patients’ social and community contexts.
The Department of Family Medicine at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya plays a pioneering role in undergraduate and postgraduate medical education in Sri Lanka. Undergraduate teaching is delivered through the Professional Development and Behaviour (PDB) strand, combining didactic lectures, interactive small group sessions, and a one-month clinical rotation at the University Family Medicine Clinic (UFMC). This training fosters essential clinical, communication, and person-centered care skills from the early years of medical education.
Established in 1996, the University Family Medicine Centre provides accessible, community-based medical care to faculty staff, students, and the surrounding population. It also serves as a recognized training site by the Postgraduate Institute of Medicine (PGIM) for postgraduate programs, including the Diploma in Family Medicine and the MD in Family Medicine.
The Department is also known for its strong commitment to community outreach and social responsibility. Since 2010, the department has organized annual social welfare projects, including health camps and medical exhibitions in underserved and post-conflict areas such as the Northern and Eastern provinces, aiming to support resettled communities and promote health equity.
Our academic contributions extend beyond teaching and service. The Department actively engages in research on critical areas of primary care,
including:
• Primary care morbidity patterns
• Referral practices and consultation behavior
• Patient satisfaction and treatment adherence (e.g., diabetic medication)
• Cervical HPV infection
• Bronchial asthma in primary care
• Community symptom surveillance
• Global family medicine trends using bibliometric analysis
• Medical education, medical informatics, and patient demand dynamics
Recent and ongoing research initiatives also include:
• Asthma care in primary care settings in Sri Lanka
• Acne and its psychosocial impact among clinic attendees
• Myths and beliefs influencing health-seeking behavior among patients
• A qualitative study on cultural competence in clinical communication among family physicians
Through these activities, the Department of Family Medicine continues to lead the way in advancing primary care practice, research, and education—both locally and internationally.