The patient-physician relationship is central to this process. The Family physician focuses on treating the patient rather than just a disease entity and such treatment is uniquely affected by the individual circumstances of each patient. Most Family physicians find a very comfortable balance between the knowledge of clinical medicine and knowledge about their patients. Family Practice was the first specialty to require CME and the first specialty board to require periodic recertification. As in any medical specialty, Family physicians continually add to and reinforce their knowledge base with clinical practice and teaching experience .
Family physicians can go on to developing a special interest in any of the areas in their field.
Fellowships after residency are available to develop a particular area of interest. Types of Fellowships that are available include Sports medicine, Geriatrics, Obstetrics, Adolescent medicine, Preventive medicine, Faculty development, Substance abuse, Rural medicine and research. Many Family physicians also develop interest in areas of alternative or complementary medicine. Unlike Family medicine, dual certification programs emphasize on hospital based or inpatient medicine. There is much less emphasis on continuity of care.