Family Medicine Physicians are trained to provide comprehensive care to male and female patients of all ages. They are Primary Care Physicians who can treat a wide range of health conditions and are able to address the vast majority of their patients’ needs. Family Physicians also focus on health and prevention, providing their patients with the information and tools they need to take control of their health. If a patient requires more specialized care, a Family Physician can coordinate referrals to specialist providers. Many Advanced Practitioners, such as Physician Assistants and Nurse Practitioners, also specialize in Family Medicine.

Family Physicians focus on the “whole patient” and can provide a continuum of care over a patients’ entire lifetime. In fact, many patients develop long-standing relationships with their Family Physicians, and come to refer to them as “my doctor.” Over time, Family Physicians can come to know a great deal about their patients’ health histories and medical needs, making them well-suited to provide appropriate preventive health care as well as manage ongoing health conditions.

Here is a sample list of services your Family Physician can perform (this list is NOT all inclusive):

• Acute care for short-term illness
• Physical exams and recommended screenings
• Order laboratory and diagnostic tests, evaluate results, and make recommendations
• Flu shots, allergy injections and other immunizations
• Pre-participation exams for sports, school and summer camp
• Well woman care including Pap smears, pelvic and breast exams
• Treatment of minor injuries such as burns, broken bones or lacerations
• Treatment of complex and long-term medical conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes
• Coordinate referrals to Specialist providers