FAMILY MEDICINE
Family medicine, as a discipline of knowledge and professional practice, has abundant and rich potential to extend quality primary health care services to people.
Family physicians as the front liners of the medical care system can emerge as the critical and organic players in promoting quality health for all and also create spaces for sustainable development and wellbeing of the people.
Most importantly, the contemporary research and increasing knowledge base of Family Medicine and its expanding transformational professional practices are going to radically impact and significantly contribute for preparing, training and delivering critical human resources and personnel at different levels of care
Family Medicine – The Center of Primary Care
Family physicians are the only specialists qualified to treat most ailments and provide comprehensive health care for people of all ages.
- Caring for patients regardless of age or health condition, sustaining an enduring and trusting relationship
- Understanding community-level factors and social determinants of health
- Serving as a patient’s first contact for health concerns
- Navigating the health care system with patients, including specialist and hospital care coordination and follow-up
- Using data and technology to coordinate services and enhance care
- Considering the impact of health on a patient’s family
Services Family Physicians extend are:
- 82%Â routinely perform procedures
- 48% treat patients in a hospital setting
- 31%Â deliver emergency care
- 74%Â care for infants and children
- 83%Â have hospital privileges
- 18%Â provide OB care
Procedures include:
- Colposcopy/LEEP
- Colonoscopy
- Endoscopy
- Family planning and early pregnancy evaluation and management
- Musculoskeletal injections
- Spirometry
- Skin procedures
- Suturing lacerations
- Ultrasound imaging
- Vasectomy
Historically, their role was once performed by any doctor with qualifications from a medical school and who works in the community.
The aim of Family Medicine is promoting personal, comprehensive and continuing care for the individual in the context of the family and the community.
Family physicians deliver a range of acute, chronic and preventive medical care services.
In addition to diagnosing and treating illness, they also provide preventive care, including routine check-ups, health-risk assessments, immunization and screening tests, and personalized counseling on maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
Family physicians also manage chronic illness, often coordinating care provided by other subspecialists.