Getting Started in Family Medicine

Family Medicine is a medical specialty that integrates clinical, behavioural and biological sciences to provide continuing, co-ordinated and comprehensive care to patients not restricted by diagnosis, gender, or organ system in the context of their family and environment.

Family Medicine practice emphasises the HOLISTIC care of patients from cradle to grave using the BIOPSYCHOSOCIAL model of approach. The emphasis is on the 'patient', and not the 'problem'and Patient Centered Clinical Method is the hallmark of our practice.

On this note, welcome to Family Medicine clinical postings 1&2 (FM1 & FM2). They are designed to expose you to primary care practice as a first contact care for the undifferentiated patients, as well as equipping you to be able to deal with the common health conditions affecting most people, most of the time and also to learn to integrate the knowledge and skills acquired in the various other specialties. Finally, you will learn the inter-relationship between the family and disease.

You are therefore encouraged to apply yourself to all aspects of the posting and ensure you get signed off in the various sections of this log book. You are expected to rotate through the General Outpatient Clinics (Paediatrics, Adolescent/School and Adult Clinics), the Special Family Medicine Clinics - NHIS, DOTS, HAART, Well Adult and Pain & Palliative Clinics as well as the Accident & Emergency.