Family Medicine
What kind of physician is specialized in Family Medicine?
Family medicine (FM), formerly Family Practice (FP), is a medical specialty devoted to comprehensive health care for people of all ages; the specialist is named a family physician, family doctor, or formerly family practitioner. It is a division of primary care that provides continuing and comprehensive health care for the individual and family across all ages, genders, diseases, and parts of the body.1
Family medicine is based on knowledge of the patient in the context of the family and the community, emphasizing disease prevention and health promotion. A physician specializing in Family Medicine treats most all common medical illnesses or chronic conditions. He or she can also diagnose more complex conditions that may require referral to a different specialty in medicine. Most all illnesses or injuries are treated well by a Family Medicine physician board certified by the American Academy of Family Practitioners.2
The physician who runs a family practice is versed in managing all phases of health care for individuals and families.3 He or she may also be considered the portal into the vast health care world if further consultations or treatments with other health care providers is needed. Where you have several health problems, your primary care physician would refer you to a specialist and would co-ordinate the services and medicines prescribed.
What special training is a doctor required to complete, to be Board certified in the field of Family Medicine?
In addition to graduating after 4 years of medical school, 3 years of specialty training in residency is required before Board Certification by the American Academy of Family Practice.4
Your primary care physician may also have a subspecialty where he is a specialist in any of the following disciplines; Geriatric Medicine, Sleep Medicine, Nursing home and Comforting Medicine (Hospice), Adolescent Medicine or Sports Medicine.
What kind of treatment does a physician provide who is specialized in Family Medicine provide?
Family physicians deliver a range of medical care services. In addition to diagnosing and treating chronic illness, they also offer health-risk assessments and routine checkups, immunization, preventive care, and screening tests. A good physician will provide tailored counseling on preventative medicine, designed to help you in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Family physicians assist patients in managing chronic illness, often coordinating care provided by other subspecialists. Your provider of Family Medicine should make every effort to ensure that you are comfortable with your interactions. The elationship with a Primary Care Physician is one that can benefit you greatly as you strive to maintain good health, or manage chronic diseases.
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1 “Definitions, What is Family Medicine?”. American Academy of Family Physicians, http://www.aafp.org/online/en/home/aboutus/specialty/definitions.html
2 http://www.certificationmatters.org/abms-member-boards/family-medicine.aspx
3 http://duluthfamilypracticecenter.com/family_practice.html
4 http://www.certificationmatters.org/abms-member-boards/family-medicine.aspx