2. Main aspects
• Definition
• Historical views
• Family medicine VS General practice
• Benefits of family doctor? For patients?
• Role of family doctors
• Important of family medicine for students.
3. Definition of Family Medicine
• Family practice is a specialty that provides
continuous and comprehensive health care –
without limitation by age, sex, organ
system, or disease entity – in relation to
the family unit.
4. Historical views
• The 19th century in America and Europe was the
age of the general practitioner: a key professional
for individuals, families and the community.
• In 1969 the specialty American Boards
approved Family Practice as a new specialty.
• Family Medicine has been spreading to all five
continents since 1970.
• The World Organization of Family Doctors
(WONCA) was founded in 1972.
5. Family medicine VS General practice
• The specialist is named a family
physician or family doctor in USA and some
other countries
• In Europe, the discipline is often referred to as
general practice and a practitioner as a
general practice doctor or GP.
6. Family practice VS Family Medicine
• Family practice is the medical specialty concerned
with the total health care of the individual and
the family.
• Family Medicine integrates the biological, clinical
and behavioral sciences and is not limited by the
patient's age or sex, organ system, or disease
entity.
• Since the establishment of the board of family
medicine a family medicine physician is no longer
the same as a general practitioner.
7. What is a GP in Iraq?
• Any doctor can set up a clinic after
obtaining a medical degree in a medical
school recognized by the Ministry of
Health (MOH), and completing his or her
public service bond.
• If they have not received any postgraduate
training in primary care, they will be
considered a GP.
8. Role of family doctors
1. Take on All Ages and Genders
2. Educate Patients on Everyday Health.
3. Manage Common, Everyday Complaints.
4. Look for Early Signs of Emerging
Conditions.
5. Manage Chronic Illness.
6. An Advocate and Go-To Medical
Resource for All Things Health.
9. What’s the benefit of seeing a
family doctor? For patients
• Family doctors focus on treating each patient
holistically.
• They are medical professional who focuses on all
of life, and takes into account how lifestyle
overall wellbeing.
• When it comes to managing illness, FPs recognize
what happens at home and work can affect the
• they always consider socio-economic and
background when it comes to both diagnosis and
treatment.
10. What’s the benefit of seeing a
family doctor? For patients
• Regularly visiting the same FP will also help to ensure continuity of
care and a long-term doctor-patient relationship.
• FP keeps track of health history, which helps them to formulate
treatment plans and support through the journey towards
recovery.
• Most of the time, they won’t just treat the patients , but entire
family.
• Over time, they will get to know more about patient's family
history and any recurring health issues.This can result in more
comprehensive care for everyone in the family.
11. Important of family medicine for
students.
• The AAFP recommends all medical schools incorporate
exposure to family medicine as an integral part of the
required curriculum during the preclinical and clinical
years.
• Ensure that all medical students, by the time they
graduate, understand the importance of family medicine
in leading the health care system, advocating for patients,
caring for communities, and achieving health equity;
• Increase student choice of family medicine; and
• Produce a diverse family medicine workforce that meets
the health needs of underserved areas.
