Family Practice

Also called "Primary Care," family practice provides care to the entire family, from children to mature adults. It combines traditional sciences with knowledge in areas such as family dynamics, interpersonal relationships, supportive counseling, and the impact of illness on individual and families. This gives the Family Practice physician unique skills in patient management, problem solving and the coordination of health care delivery.

Training includes internal medicine, pediatrics, gynecology, surgery, dermatology, and emergency medicine. Family Practice physicians may hold one of the following medical degrees, either (M.D.) or (D.O.). Physicians who specialize in family medicine must complete a three-year family medicine residency in addition to their medical degree, and are eligible for the board certification now required by most hospitals and health plans.

A family practice physician guides and oversees your total medical care and will refer you to specialists when additional expertise is needed. Unless a pediatrician is otherwise involved, the family practice physician often administers necessary immunizations to small children and conducts the well-child checks recommended for children. The family practice physician will perform the physical examinations required for teens to play sports in school or attend camp, as well as conduct physical examinations required by the DMV for license renewals. Additionally, a family practice physician manages chronic medical conditions, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, weight management, and general skin conditions.

Board certification for Family Practice is awarded by the American Association of Family Practice (AAFP), and the designation of "fellow" is indicative of a physician who is board certified in Family Practice.

We invite you to contact our office today at 714-577-6031 to discuss any concerns you may have with your health. Please visit our Family Practice profile.