Family practice is a medical specialty of conventional
medicine. Family practice focuses to provide primary health care for any
disease at any age. The physicians qualified in family practice are termed as
family practice physicians. They act as the first point of consultation.
Family practice physicians are proficient in first-contact care, continuous
care, comprehensive care, personal care and family care.
Family practice imparts attention to preventive medicine and
immunization procedures. Family practice physicians are inevitable parts of
rural health management system. They help to check epidemics and counsel the
common people regarding hygiene and healthy lifestyle practices. The
responsibility to provide health education and sex education to all age groups
is included in this practice.
Family practice physicians are often family doctors. They
provide comprehensive care to all family members, irrespective of age. People
who feel any sort of discomfort, symptoms or injuries can walk right into a
family practice physician’s clinic. These doctors are able to develop an
amicable relationship with the families. The long lasting relationship with a
family practice physician can also help to identify genetic disorders and take
precautions for it.
Family practice physicians are trained in general medicine
and special practices of obstetrics, intensive care unit care, hospital
medicine, etc. Many of them take additional fellowships in adolescent
medicine, sports medicine, obstetrics, research, faculty development,
geriatrics, or preventative medicine. They will be able to manage a wide range
of diseases such as diabetes mellitus, depression, chest pain, eye
emergencies, coronary artery disease, food allergy, respiratory infections,
broken bones, epidemics and common cold.
Family practice follows the routine diagnostic and treatment
procedures to treat a disorder. They perform thorough physical examinations
and direct for clinical procedures such as blood tests, immunological tests,
X-rays, ECG, and scans, to confirm the disorder. Based on the diagnosis, they
provide adequate treatment required for the problem. If any advanced treatment
is required, the patient will be directed to the concerned specialty.
