Family Medicine and Family Medicine Sub-Specialties
Family Medicine is the medical specialty dedicated to the provision of primary health care in Canada. Family physicians diagnose and treat the diseases, physiological disorders, and patient injuries. They commonly maintain long-term relationships with patients and families. They provide primary contact and continuous care toward the management of patients' health. They usually work in office-based practice (including group or team practices), hospitals and clinics.
The Four Principles of Family Medicine (as described the Ontario College of Family Physicians):
- The family physician is a skilled clinician.
- Family Medicine is a community-based discipline.
- The family physician is a resource to a defined practice population.
- The patient-physician relationship is central to the role of the family physician.
To practise family medicine in Ontario you must be accredited by The College of Family Physicians of Canada, by completing a two-year Family Medicine post-graduate training program, or fulfil practice-eligibility requirements and pass the College certification examination. Family medicine doctors may also do an additional Family Medicine certification program for emergency medicine, palliative care, elder care and rural care. Other areas family physicians may focus on include sports medicine, women’s health and dermatology.
Family Medicine and Family Medicine sub-specialties include the following practice types:
- Office Only
- Office plus Anaesthesia
- Office plus ER
- Office plus Inpatient(s)
- Office plus Obstetrics
- Office plus Surgical Assist
- ER Full-Time
- Anaesthesia Full-Time
- Hospitalist Full-Time
For more Information about third-year Family Medicine training programs offered in Canada, click here.