Family medicine is the medical specialty that provides continuing and comprehensive health care for individuals and families. This specialty integrates the biological, clinical and behavioral sciences and encompasses all ages and sexes, each organ system, and every disease entity. It is this combination that qualifies family medicine physicians to provide continuing and comprehensive medical care and health maintenance and preventive services to each member of a family regardless of patient type or problem be it biological, behavioral or social.

Family medicine physicians, because of their background and interactions with families, are best qualified to serve as a patients advocate in all health-related matters, including the appropriate use of consultants, health services and community resources.