Family Medicine is a division of primary care that provides continuing and comprehensive health care for the individual and family across all ages, genders, diseases, and parts of the body. This name emphasises the holistic nature of this speciality, as well as its roots in the family. It is based on knowledge of the patient in the context of the family and the community, emphasising disease prevention and health promotion.
A family physician manages types of illness that present in an undifferentiated way at an early stage of development, which may require urgent intervention. The holistic approach of general practice aims to take into consideration the biological, psychological, and social factors relevant to the care of each patient's illness. Their duties are not confined to specific organs of the body, and they have skills in treating people with multiple health issues.