From the Guidelines
The primary role of an Australian Family Physician is to provide comprehensive, coordinated care to patients, treating them as a whole person, rather than just managing their medical conditions. This approach is supported by a growing body of evidence, which suggests that patients with access to primary care have better outcomes 1. The role of a family physician in Australia is multifaceted, and includes:
- Managing chronic medical conditions in a primary care setting
- Providing preventive healthcare services
- Addressing mental health concerns
- Caring for patients across the lifespan, from pediatrics to geriatrics
- Staying up-to-date with best practices and emerging evidence in primary care, through continuing medical education and resources such as the Australian Journal of General Practice (AJGP) 1. Key aspects of an Australian Family Physician's role include:
- Coordinated care: working with other healthcare professionals to provide comprehensive care to patients
- Patient-centered care: treating patients as individuals, rather than just managing their medical conditions
- Preventive care: providing services such as health screenings, vaccinations, and health education to prevent illness and promote wellness
- Ongoing education: staying current with the latest evidence and best practices in primary care, to provide high-quality care to patients 1.
From the Research
Role of an Australian Family Physician
The role of an Australian Family Physician is multifaceted and patient-centered. Some key aspects of their role include:
- Providing and coordinating care for a wide variety of patient problems, prioritizing these competing demands on the basis of relationships developed during multiple patient visits over time 2
- Integrating care for specific diseases, mental health, and preventive care in ways that are tailored to the specific needs of patients and families 2
- Delivering care according to a broad agenda based on patient needs, understood within ongoing relationships with the patient, family, larger health care system, and community 2
- Providing compassionate care, taking a generalist approach, and maintaining continuity of relationship with patients and their families 3
- Being committed to lifelong learning, participating in learning activities and practice-based research that leads to better patient outcomes 3
Core Values and Principles
The core values and principles of family medicine and general practice include:
- Compassionate care: a caring attitude towards patients and their families shown as kindness and a desire to help 3
- Generalist approach: a perspective on the whole person and the context of illness including family, culture and society 3
- Continuity of relationship: the interpersonal bond of trust and respect between family physicians, patients, and their families that develops over the life course 3
- Reflective mindfulness: doctors' awareness of their thoughts and emotions manifested as a sense of presence and attentiveness towards self and others 3
- Lifelong learning: a commitment to personal and professional development by participating in learning activities and practice-based research that leads to better patient outcomes 3
Specific Responsibilities
Australian Family Physicians are also responsible for:
- Conducting routine health checks and screenings, such as alcohol screening and brief interventions 4
- Managing chronic diseases and providing ongoing care for patients with complex health needs 5
- Providing preventive care and health education to patients and their families 2
- Coordinating care with other healthcare professionals and services, such as specialists and hospitals 5