Family Medicine, also known as primary care or general practice, is a medical specialty that provides holistic, comprehensive and continuing health care for an individual and family. It integrates the biological, clinical, psychological and social understanding of health.

Family medicine does not limit; it is a specialty of inclusion. The focus in family medicine is on the patient and not the disease. Most specialties define themselves by age, sex, or body or system.¹

The scope of family medicine encompasses all ages, organ systems and disease entities.² Family medicine is the first contact in healthcare, serving as point-of-entry for patients.¹

There are five principles in family medicine. This RLO will explain these principles in detail.