Family Adoption Program (FAP): perspectives of beneficiaries and providers- An Explanatory Mixed Method Study

Background and Aim- Medical education in India has shifted from classroom-based to community-based learning paradigms. The National Medical Commission (NMC) has mandated that all MBBS students must participate in the Family Adoption Programme (FAP). This study was aimed to understand the perspectives of adopted families, field workers, faculty and students while identify implementation challenges. Methodology- This study was conducted by Department of Community Medicine, Government Medical College, Haldwani, Uttarakhand. Students, faculty, field staff, members of adopted families were included in this study. It was a sequential explanatory mixed methods study. A self-administered, close-ended questionnaire was used to collect data using the quantitative technique. Qualitative data was collected through in-depth interviews. Results- 68% students felt that the FAP is beneficial for them and should be continued in its current form. 16% students faced difficulties in finding families and found barrier at family level. Qualitative analysis revealed advantages of FAP in terms of improvement of communication skills of the students and better patient dealing in future. Changes suggested were reduction in number of families and incorporation of evening posting hours. Conclusion- The majority of the study participants thought that FAP was good, with regards to benefits to the community and medical undergraduates. Implementing suggested changes in the Family Adoption Program is recommended to optimize program outcomes.