PolyU hosts 2025 International Conference on Primary Health Care to explore interdisciplinary collaboration

The Joint Research Centre for Primary Health Care of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) recently co-hosted the “2025 International Conference on Primary Health Care” with the Schools of Nursing of Fudan University, Sun Yat-sen University, and Tianjin Medical University. The Conference explored trends, issues and strategies in interdisciplinary collaboration in primary health care. Over 500 experts from 14 countries and regions participated in the Conference.

Dr PANG Fei Chau, Commissioner for Primary Healthcare of the Health Bureau of the HKSAR Government, said the Conference facilitated exchanges and interdisciplinary collaboration among researchers, educators, healthcare professionals and other stakeholders.  He emphasised that “The Primary Health Commission (PHC Commission) of the Health Bureau is committed to enhancing district-based primary healthcare services, with the aim of shifting the emphasis of the present healthcare system and people’s mindset from treatment-oriented to prevention-oriented and family-centric primary health care. The PHC Commission is dedicated to enhancing co-ordination among various sectors and across different levels of care, and to strengthening district-level PHC services in the community.”

Prof. Christopher CHAO, Vice President (Research and Innovation) of PolyU, highlighted the important role research was playing in the paradigm shift of health care. He stated, “The findings of healthcare researchers are leading to a better understanding of the gap between the current state of primary health care and a possible future of interdisciplinary collaboration. In this regard, PolyU’s key research strategy for building interdisciplinary research has been very successful.  We create synergy in life sciences, healthcare and technology to bring about higher impact in society and support governments in promoting better health and well-being.”

Prof. Frances WONG, Director of the Joint Research Centre for Primary Health Care, Chair Professor of Advanced Nursing Practice and Associate Dean of the Faculty of Health and Social Sciences of PolyU, outlined the development and work of the Joint Research Centre for Primary Health Care. She emphasised the Centre’s focus on research, knowledge translation, nurturing the next generation of scientists and healthcare professionals, and collaborating with stakeholders to provide research data and scientific evidence to improve patient health and to promote policy and social change.

Several distinguished guests delivered keynote speeches at the Conference, including (in alphabetical order by surname):

• Prof. Rebecca IVERS, Head of the School of Population Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales;
• Dr Rob LAWSON, Chairman of the British Society of Lifestyle Medicine, and President of the European Lifestyle Medicine Council;
• Dr Pang Fei Chau, Commissioner for Primary Healthcare of the Health Bureau of the HKSAR Government;
• Prof. Leiyu SHI, Director and Co-founder of the Johns Hopkins Primary Care Policy Centre; Professor of Health Policy and Health Services Research, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health;  
• Prof. Sabrina WONG, Science Lead, Strategy for Patient-Oriented Research Primary and Integrated Health Care Innovation Network, The University of British Columbia;
• Prof. Xifeng WU, Dean, School of Public Health; Vice President, Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine; Director, National Institute for Data Science in Health and Medicine, Zhejiang University;
• Prof. Paul YIP, Chair Professor of Population Health, Department of Social Work and Social Administration; Associate Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences, The University of Hong Kong

The Joint Research Centre for Primary Health Care was jointly established by PolyU’s School of Nursing and the Schools of Nursing of Fudan University, Sun Yat-sen University, and Tianjin Medical University last year. The Centre aims to promote disease prevention through innovative interventions and service models, apply advanced technology to provide continuous and integrated care.

***END***