Family practice is the medical specialty which provides continuing and comprehensive health care for the individual and family. It is the specialty in breadth which integrates the biological, clinical, and behavioral sciences. The scope of family practice encompasses all ages, both sexes, each organ system,and every disease entity.
The specialty of family practice is the result of the evolved and enhanced
expression of general medical practice and is uniquely defined within the family
context.
The family physician is a physician who is educated and trained in family
practice a broadly encompassing medical specialty.
Family physicians possess unique attitudes, skills, and knowledge which qualify
them to provide continuing and comprehensive medical care, health
maintenance and preventive services to each member of the family regardless
of sex, age or type of problem, be it biological, behavioral, or social. These
specialists, because of their background and interactions with the family, are
best qualified to serve as each patient's advocate in all health-related matters,
including the appropriate use of consultants, health services, and community
resources.
