The doctor-patient relationship is central to the role of the family physician. The resident must develop and demonstrate appropriate attitudes toward the elderly in providing care. The resident should demonstrate knowledge of and insight into common ethical and legal issues in the care of the elderly. The family physician is an effective clinician. The resident must have theoretical knowledge of and practical experience in common clinical problems and approaches in the elderly.
Family medicine is community-based.
The resident must actively use and interact with community resources to enhance patient management. The family physician is a resource to a defined practice population. The resident must be able to access appropriate materials and resources and apply them in the practice to the patient s benefit. The resident will understand the unique position of the family physician to promote research that respects patient involvement. The resident will be able to select and access evidence from the medical literature to answer patients questions.