Family practice doctors, also called general practitioners, are physicians with an M.D. or D.O. degree that practice overall general medicine. Family doctors specialize in treating all aspects of the human condition throughout the lifespan.

Significance

Establishing care with a family practice doctor is beneficial for preventive health care, management of chronic illness, or consultation for acute conditions such as the flu or a bothersome skin rash. Family practice doctors are more aware of specific nuances of the family situation.

Identification

Finding a family practice doctor includes looking up local providers in a group practice, a solo practitioner on the patient's insurance plan, or making an appointment at the referral of a friend or colleague. Talking with the family doctor and gauging how comfortable you feel with him is key in finding the right person to take care of your family.

Features

Caring for the whole person is the goal of a family practice doctor. Understanding the patient as an individual within the family takes into account the biological, social-emotional and behavioral aspects of any clinical problem.

Benefits

Seeing a family practice doctor is beneficial in that every member of the family can see the same physician for medical issues. Family practice doctors work as advocates for patients, are connected to specialists when needed and have knowledge of a wide range of community resources for additional support.

Considerations

Choosing a family practice doctor over another specialist, such as a pediatrician or internist, has both benefits and drawbacks. A family practice doctor has skills across all ages, genders, organ systems and diseases and can see several members of a family during one visit. Specialists have more training in a chosen area of medicine.

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