The effective family physician brings a unique set of qualities and skills to a unique practice setting, keeps these up to date, and applies them by using the patient-centered clinical method to maintain and promote the health of patients in his or her practice. Family physicians have expert knowledge and skills related to the wide range of common health problems and conditions of patients in the community, and of less common but life-threatening and treatable emergencies in patients in all age groups. Their approach to health care is based on the best scientific evidence available. Family physicians use their understanding of human development and family and other social systems to develop a comprehensive approach to the management of disease and illness in patients and their families. Family physicians are also adept at working with patients to reach common ground on the definition of the problems, goals of treatment, and roles of physician and patient in management.
Family medicine is based in the community and is significantly influenced by community factors.
As a member of the community, the family physician is able to respond to people's changing needs, to adapt quickly to changing circumstances, and to mobilize appropriate resources to address patients' needs. Clinical problems presenting to a community-based family physician are not preselected and are commonly encountered at an undifferentiated stage. Family physicians are skilled at dealing with ambiguity and uncertainty. Finally, the family physician may provide palliative care to people with terminal diseases. Family physicians see themselves as part of a community network of health care providers and are skilled at collaborating as team members or team leaders.