A family doctor is trained to care for the whole person regardless of age or gender. In addition to treating illnesses, a family doctor provides routine health screenings and counseling on lifestyle changes to help prevent conditions before they happen.

If a health condition requires care from another specialist, a family doctor will also be there to guide and coordinate all aspects of care. The cornerstone of family medicine is an ongoing, personal patient-doctor relationship focused on integrated care.

• Education and Training
• Continuing Education
• The Patient/Doctor Relationship
• Find a Family Doctor

Education and Training

Following medical school, family doctors complete a formal three-year residency during which they receive training in several major medical areas and patient populations:

• Care for all ages from infants to elderly


• Care for chronic conditions, such as diabetes, asthma and heart disease


• Ear, nose and throat care


• Emergency medical care


• Minor surgical procedures


• Mental and behavioral health care


• Bone and joint care


• Eye care


• X-rays


• Care of the urinary system


• Prenatal care


• Well-woman care, reproductive counseling, family planning

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Continuing Education

The American Board of Family Medicine requires recertification by examination every seven to 10 years. To maintain board certification, family doctors also are required to complete a minimum of 150 hours of continuing medical education every three years. In addition, family doctors have the support of a national medical association, the American Academy of Family doctors (AAFP). The AAFP provides high-quality learning opportunities for family doctors, as well as patient education materials and practice management support.
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The Patient/Doctor Relationship

Family doctors believe that the key to long-term health is the patient-doctor relationship. To develop a personal treatment plan, a family doctor will regularly ask questions about a patient’s family health history and lifestyle to determine health risk factors. Research shows that people who have an ongoing relationship with a primary care doctor have better overall health outcomes; lower death rates and lower total costs of care.

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Find a Family Doctor

To find a Family Medicine doctor at the Palo Alto Medical Foundation, please follow one of the links below:

• Doctors open to new patients


• All Family medicine doctors

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