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Family Doctor

Family doctors, also called family practice physicians or family medicine physicians, are medical doctors who specialize in the total health care of the individual and the family.

Family doctors can diagnose and treat a variety of health conditions and diseases for people of all ages and both sexes. They may further specialize in another area of medicine, such as the care of older adults (geriatric medicine) or people who have sports injuries (sports medicine).

Family doctors may be certified by the College of Family Physicians of Canada.

Last Revised: December 3, 2010

Author: Healthwise Staff

Medical Review: Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine & Donald Sproule, MD, CM, CCFP, FCFP - Family Medicine & E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine

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