They coordinate on your behalf with rehabilitation and occupational therapists, mental health workers, pharmacists, social workers and other health care providers. They refer you to a specialist if your condition becomes serious and requires a more concentrated focus, but they stay involved and informed, acting as your primary care physician.
This spares you the stress of having to figure everything out alone. Your family doctor interfaces with a collaborative network of physicians to provide you with integrated care to ensure all of your medical needs are met. October 27, September 2, August 6, July 30, Unlike other specialties that are limited to a particular organ or disease, family physicians are the only specialists qualified to treat most ailments and provide comprehensive health care for people of all ages — from newborns to seniors.
This looks like:. Most physicians chose to pursue medicine as a career because they wanted to make a difference by helping people and positively impacting lives through health care. You, too, can invest your intellect, skills, and passion to serve others in the demanding and rewarding medical profession.
Learn more ». Access to a regular primary care physician has been linked to:. The AAFP represents , physicians and student members nationwide. It is the only medical society devoted solely to primary care. Schooling Family physicians complete extensive training beyond medical school in order to be able to provide the best possible patient care, including a three-year residency; in-depth training across a human lifespan from birth to death; and potential additional fellowships and qualifications in concentrations like adolescent medicine, emergency medicine, faculty development, and more.
Family medicine residents participate in integrated inpatient and outpatient learning and receive training in six major medical areas — pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, internal medicine, psychiatry and neurology, surgery, and community medicine.
They listen and document your health history. This helps them better understand how to help you make good decisions about your health. Your family doctor is responsible for diagnosing and treating acute and chronic illnesses. They also provide routine health screenings and counseling on lifestyle changes. This helps prevent health issues before they develop. If you require care from a specialist, your family doctor will refer you to a specialist.
He or she will help coordinate all aspects of your care. Family doctors are trained in preventive medicine. Preventing or avoiding a health problem is better than having to treat or manage one.
Your family doctor can help keep you and your family healthy. There are several ways to find the right family doctor. Talk to your friends and family. They may have a recommendation. Check your insurance to see get a list of doctors in your insurance network.
Once you have recommendations, call their offices to get more information. Important questions to ask include:. Many doctors are board certified. This means they have specific training in certain areas. Most family doctors become board certified in family medicine. Once you find a doctor who meets your needs, schedule an appointment.
This allows you to meet and talk to the doctor. Before deciding on your doctor of choice, ask yourself these questions. It takes time to build a relationship with your doctor. Family medicine pays special attention to an ongoing, personal patient-physician relationship. When you need to see a specialist for heart disease, cancer or any other serious concern, a family doctor can help find someone who fits your specific needs — and personality. And data suggests that adding one primary care physician such as a family doctor for every 10, people can lower hospital admissions by 5.
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