Family Practice

Family Practice is a medical specialty devoted to comprehensive health care for people of all ages. The specialist is named a family physician or family doctor. In Europe, the discipline is often referred to as general practice and a practitioner as a General Practice Doctor or GP.

Overview

Family practice 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. It is based on knowledge of the patient in the context of the family and the community, emphasizing disease prevention and health promotion.

History

The term "Family Practice" was first used in 1969. Prior to this, the general practitioner or GP was the usual equivalent in the US.

Training

In the United States, family physicians are trained through a three-year residency following medical school. They must then pass a board certification examination.

Scope

Family physicians deliver a range of acute, chronic, and preventive medical care services while providing patients with a patient-centered medical home.

See also

• General practitioner
• Primary care
• Residency (medicine)

References

Family Practice Resources
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