What does FM mean in BRITISH MEDICINE

Family medicine practitioners are usually doctors who have attended four years of medical school and completed three years of residency training in family medicine. These practicing physicians must pass a board-certification process in order to be eligible for certification from the American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM).

Family Medicine covers a broad range of topics related to health care such as preventive services, management of acute and chronic illnesses, behavioral health counseling, nutrition counseling, health maintenance/screening tests, women's health services, pediatric care, adolescent care and geriatric services.

Unlike other specialties within medicine such as pediatrics or internal medicine which focus mainly on one specific illness or condition—family medicine extends beyond that by focusing on the overall well-being and health upkeep for each individual patient.

By seeing a doctor that specializes in family medicine you don't need referrals when needed because they know all aspects about your family's medical history. Also these physicians have an ongoing relationship with their patients making appointments easier whenever necessary due to trust already built. Finally if you ever needed any advice regarding lifestyle habits you can get reliable information from one source on how best to take care yourself.

One potential disadvantage with seeing only one primary doctor for all needs may be that sometimes specialist may be needed who understand more complex cases better than what a general practitioner would understand., Although this is not always the case. Furthermore family doctors will also likely prescribe medication whereas sometimes it may be recommended that alternative treatments such herbal remedies should be embraced.