Ten central elements of family practice

Previous studies of the content of family practice have analyzed the discipline in terms of the clinical problem content. Taking a different approach, a study group analyzed the care given to patients by family physicians irrespective of the specific clinical problems. Working with a reference group of family physicians in private practice, ten central elements were identified: (1) comprehensiveness of care, (2) anticipation of problems and continuity of care, (3) personal relationships with a patient, (4) medical knowledge and skills characteristic of family medicine, (5) values and attitudes that enhance family medicine, (6) problem definition and medical decision making, (7) problem management and resource coordination, (8) care of the individual within the family context, (9) involvement with the community, and (10) attentiveness to practice organization. This study provides a different point of departure for the design and evaluation of educational programs in family practice.