Family Medicine is a medical specialty devoted to comprehensive health care and is based on holistic care of the patient and his or her family in the community context.
Family physicians provide continuing healthcare for acute and chronic illnesses and but have a strong emphasis on health promotion, wellness and disease prevention.
Taking care of the physical, emotional and mental health of patients and their families is the main goal of family physicians. These doctors have trained further in all areas of medicine and have the ability to diagnose and manage a wide variety of symptoms and problems by addressing the underlying cause.
Family physicians also provide preventative care, which includes wellness assessments, immunisations, screening tests, health risk assessments and suggestions on how to make individualised healthy lifestyle choices for adults, children and babies.
There is a strong emphasis on shared decision making, partnering with patients in managing their health and empowering patients to achieve optimal health and wellbeing.