What is a Family Physician? (MD)
Family physicians possess unique attitudes, skills and knowledge which qualify them to provide ongoing, comprehensive medical care to each member of the family. A family physician is a doctor who has received at least three years of specialty training (beyond medical school) in the broad disciplines of primary care. These include in-depth coverage of adult and pediatric medicine, preventive care and OB care. Because of their training, family physicians are uniquely qualified to serve as Primary Care Providers.
The cornerstone of family medicine is an ongoing, personal patient-physician relationship focused on integrated care. Your family physician is trained to provide optimal medical care by looking at the whole person, rather than focusing on just one organ system. In addition to diagnosing and treating acute and chronic illnesses, your family physician provides routine health screenings and counseling on lifestyle changes in an effort to prevent illnesses before they develop.
As family physicians, we directly provide 80-90% of the medical care required by the patients we serve, but we are also trained to know when specialty care is needed. Every effort is made to communicate clearly with consulting specialists to coordinate care and minimize inconvenience to our patients. Our goal is to provide the right care by the right physician at the right time.
Preventive Care
Visiting your Family Physician for regular check-ups can help you stay healthy and prevent illness.
Comprehensive Care
Family Physicians are trained to care for people of all ages—from birth through end of life. They also have a broad scope of knowledge so they are able to care for a wide range of symptoms affecting the body from head to toe. Therefore, a Family Physician is the best choice for families that want one place to go for all of their family members’ healthcare needs.
Coordinated Care
If you get sick, your Family Physician can help you overcome the illness or provide the best referrals when another specialist’s care is needed. Navigating the healthcare system can be confusing and frustrating, but your Family Physician is on the front line and can help coordinate your care and serve as your advocate.
Chronic Care
Your Family Physician can also be your partner in managing a chronic, long-lasting illness, such as diabetes, heart disease, and asthma.
Ongoing Care
A strong primary care system centered on an ongoing doctor-patient relationship leads to the best health outcomes for patients, higher patient satisfaction, fewer hospitalizations, and reduced healthcare costs. Plus, having a long-term relationship with a Family Physician enables him/her to really know you and your past health history, which helps in making the best medical decisions for you.
Beyond Medical Care
A Family Physician knows the community and can connect you to local resources and services that can favorably impact your health, such as where to shop for healthy foods and how to join a support group.
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