A family practice is the medical specialty concerned with providing ongoing, comprehensive healthcare to all age groups, from first patient contact to terminal care, with a special emphasis on care of the family as a unit. Family physicians care for patients throughout every stage of their life. Family doctors have patients who are children, teenagers, adults, and seniors. They care for men, women, and pregnant women. Family physicians deliver babies and care for infants from birth.

Family medicine doctors have a broad scope of medical knowledge, and they focus on treating the whole person. A family doctor is a medical jack-of-all-trades. They have experience in many medical fields, such as pediatrics, OB-GYN, internal medicine, orthopedics, psychiatry, sports medicine, geriatrics, and basic surgery. They see patients in their offices with a variety of medical problems from head to toe. Family doctors are primary care physicians who are prepared to treat chronic ailments including high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, high cholesterol, allergies, and mental health issues. They are also equipped to treat acute problems such as colds, fevers, infections, pains, and minor injuries.

Family physicians educate their patients on making healthy lifestyle choices, and they provide preventative care services such as routine checkups, screening tests, health-risk assessments, immunizations, and vaccinations. Family doctors also treat a variety of illnesses. They see patients who have known diseases, in addition to patients who have new ailments that require diagnosis. Family medicine doctors can treat the majority of their patients’ issues in the clinic. Issues that they are not equipped to manage in the office can be referred to other medical colleagues and specialists. Family physicians can perform basic surgeries, such as mole removals to check for cancer, or disinfecting and stitching minor injuries.

In a family medical practice, there is a close doctor-patient relationship. These close relationships can be established because a family doctor sees the same patients and families on a regular basis over the course of their lives. This allows the doctors to truly get to know the people they are treating, and it allows the patients to get to know their doctor and feel more comfortable with them. Family doctors care for patients as they grow, and they care for their patients’ families as they grow.

Family medical practitioners have a wide scope of practice that includes children and adults along with minor surgery and obstetrics. Instead of having a different doctor treat each family member, you can appreciate the convenience and familiarity of one family practitioner. A family doctor receives training in all area of medicine so they can diagnose and treat a range of typical health problems. Your children will never outgrow a family practitioner because they can handle all stages of life.

Family medical providers engage in continuing education to remain abreast of all the latest developments. As breakthroughs occur, patients are offered these beneficial treatments through family doctors. To remain board certified, family doctors must take a written exam every few years along with three hundred hours of continuing education. When you treat with a family doctor, you feel reassured they are knowledgeable about the latest and greatest treatment options available in Southern Will County healthcare.

A family practitioner is also trained in preventative medicine, bringing to mind the popular phrase, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away.” A family doctor believes making the right health choices will keep their patients healthier and happier. When you have an examination with a family physician, you can discuss preventative measures to achieve optimum health based on your unique health circumstances.

Your family doctor should make you feel comfortable to ask questions and explore your concerns. Family doctors take time to answer your inquiries and present information in a simple way you can understand. In days gone by, family physicians found the old-fashioned term “general practitioner” did not adequately describe the scope of their responsibilities. In 1969, family medicine became a designated specialty in the United States. As such, your family doctor is board certified in family medicine.

Imagine how time-consuming it is to visit several doctors for all your family’s health care needs. If you do not have adequate insurance, visiting multiple doctors can also get quite expensive. Trying to figure out the right kind of doctor to see is also another problem. A family physician will see people of all ages and circumstances with any problem. From babies to senior citizens, family doctors take care of everyone. Family physicians even deliver babies!