A physician who assumes continuing responsibility for supervising the health and coordinating the care of all family members, regardless of age. Often viewed as low-level generalists, such physicians are now trained as specialists whose work demands specific skills. These skills include functioning as medical managers, advocates, educators and counselors for their patients.
A doctor who is educated and trained in family medicine or practice. Family physicians provide continuing and comprehensive care for a person or family. They treat all organ systems and diseases and extend care to people of any age and either sex.