NASHAT HEGAZY, Dr Nagwa
Egypt- Family doctor and medical educator
Can you tell us about your current work?
I work in a University setting, providing primary health care and teaching undergraduate and postgraduates medical students. Currently I’m the inaugural Director of the Medical Education And Human Resources Development Center (MEHRDC) in the Faculty of Medicine, Menoufia University. As well I’m a writer for the Applied Knowledge Test, examiner in the OSCE and Scientific Board member of the Egyptian Family Medicine team of the MRCGP (INT). I am also an Egyptian Family Medicine Association (EFMA) executive board member.
What other interesting activities that you have been involved in?
I’m passionate about learning and learning experiences, so consequently I developed my interest in research particularly in medical education, mental health, and women's health in primary care. I gained a diploma in research methodology and program evaluation from the American University in Cairo (AUC). Currently I’m working as an executive editor for the Menoufia Medical Journal (MMJ) and Associate Editor for the Egyptian Family Medicine Journal (EFMJ).
I am a starter of things as I was the first family medicine resident in our newly established department at that time, the founding convener of the WONCA Al-Razi Yng Doctors’ Movement for the East Mediterranean region).
Joining our big WONCA Family in 2011 was a turning point in my life. I had the chance to network with colleagues all around the world, learning from them and doing experience exchanges with them. It’s been an enriching experience where my role as a medical educator was more visible.
Focusing on my role as a medical educator, I had joined the Foundation for Advancement of International Medical Education and Research through Ain Shams Middle East North Africa FAIMER Regional Institute (ASU-MENA-FRI) in January 2019. I was privileged to join my FAIMER family where I evolved and grew up through our community of practice.
What is it like to be a family doctor in Egypt?
The choice of my career as a family practitioner has evolved from a solid belief that that the family practitioner is the cornerstone of any health service in my society. Being a family doctor providing comprehensive health care for our patients is a true challenge in the current situation. I was frustrated by the marginalization of the potential and important role of family medicine in our country in addition to care fragmentation, so I devoted my time and effort to put the role of family medicine into the limelight. I believe that with the application of the new health insurance law with the target ‘health for all’, Family Medicine could start to properly take its right role.
Your interests at work and privately?
As a family physician, I am interested in medical education and primary care research and world networking with colleagues from different WONCA regions.
Apart from work it’s travelling, of which I am very fond of. It’s a huge learning experience where you see through the window of the world. I had traveled frequently and went from far west of Egypt to Rio de Janeiro also to the far east to Seoul and Beijing. I regularly spend my free time walking as I consider walking and contemplation the best way to release tension and I adore the time I spend with my children.