About Family Medicine
Family Medicine is the foundation of a family’s health care and wellness. Also known as primary care doctors, Family Physician provide comprehensive, continuous health care to all members of the family throughout the course of their lives. Family physicians care for patients of all ages, from newborns to the elderly, men and women, and all medical problems.
The specialty integrates biological, clinical and behavioral sciences. Some family physicians provide maternity care. They are trusted experts in the community who care for adult women and men, regardless of age, as well as infants and children. Family Physicians become partners with their patients over many years. By building relationships based on communication and respect, these physicians gain a deeper understanding of the whole person, including the range of physical, emotional, and socioeconomic factors that influence a person’s health status.
Patients and their families rely on the extensive skills and experience of Family Physicians to diagnose, treat, and prevent complex, life-threatening diseases and conditions, including asthma, congestive heart failure, coronary heart disease, depression and anxiety, hypertension, multiple sclerosis, and Parkinson’s disease. The full spectrum of health care and education provided by Family Physicians includes:
Prevention and management of acute injuries and illnesses
Health and wellness promotion and education
Hospital care for acute medical illnesses
Chronic disease management
Management of physical, emotional, and socioeconomic factors influencing a person’s health status and care
Maternity care
Well-child care and child development
Primary mental health care
Rehabilitation
Sports Medicine
Supportive and end-of-life care for individuals
More information about the Family Medicine Specialty.
