Practice Family Practice gained recognition as a distinct medical specialty in 1969. At the present time, over 7,000 residents are receiving training in Family Practice in more than 400 available residency training programs.
Family physicians work within a broader system of health care which meets the needs of our patients.
Comprehensiveness of Approach Family Physicians not only view patients from the biological perspective, but also from a psychosocial point of view. This patient-centered approach strengthens the possibility that the patient's health will improve over time. This may involve sometimes informing the health department when the physician suspects a new epidemic of a disease, notifying an employer of potential health problems at a work-site, or utilizing community resources to support patient care. With the recognition that many chronic diseases are not curable, prevention has assumed more importance in the health care arena. Our core content is determined by the common problems that present to Family Physicians.