Imhotep, an Egyptian doctor, also an astrologer, Egyptian pyramid architect, and king’s advisor was worshipped as God. His contribution to the medical practice is valuable.

Till 1900, majority of doctors were GPs or family physicians as they are now called. Around Second World War, with advancing technology, trend towards specialization started.

And now family medicine has become specialty by itself. A time has come that government start recognizing family medicine as a separate specialty because it is a family physician that is the first contact of the patient.

“It encompasses a patient’s whole life span,”  “From birth to death basically, and everything in between.” The family physician is a jack of all trades. FP looks after babies, do adolescent care; talks about prevention with patients – how to stay well … trying to get people when they’re healthy.

So much so that FP becomes a friend, philosopher and guide of the patient. Every patient is an ongoing CME for a FP. And health care is the team work between the FP and the patient.

Family medicine offers lot of challenges, provide a wide spectrum of practice, and yet very job satisfying. Still there are people who consider doctor as God.

Reference: http://nbbusinessjournal.canadaeast.com/transcript/article/1398572