Locations:
Family medicine is a medical specialty devoted to continuous healthcare over your lifetime. Family physicians take a big-picture approach when it comes to your health. They get to know you, and they provide complete healthcare based on your needs. Family doctors may grow with you and your family for years to come.
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Family medicine is a branch of medicine that delivers complete healthcare to everyone in your family — from your newborn to your grandparents. Regardless of age, sex or health condition, family medicine aims to provide constant care throughout your lifetime.
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Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy
Family physicians are medical doctors who are trained to care for you as a whole person. (You may also hear the terms family practice physician, family medical doctor or family medicine physician.) They learn about your background to get a full picture of your health needs. In addition to your medical history, they want to understand how certain nonmedical factors may affect your health. Over time, family medicine doctors want to build a strong, trusting relationship with you.
Family medicine doctors provide preventive care and help you set health goals. They take care of you if you have an illness. They’ll help treat and manage any long-term (chronic) conditions you develop. Family medicine doctors work with other healthcare providers on your primary care team, like nurses and physician assistants. They also coordinate your care with specialists when needed. They’ll help you navigate the healthcare system. And they want to work with you to achieve the best possible health outcomes.
Many family practice physicians are primary care providers. They’re your go-to doctor for preventive care and medical treatment. Some of the services that family medicine physicians provide include:
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Family physicians can also focus on a specialty. Areas that family doctors may practice in include:
Within these specialties, most family doctors routinely perform medical procedures. These procedures vary by specialty and may include:
Family practice physicians provide care in a wide variety of settings. They work in large and small cities, as well as in urban and rural areas. You may see family physicians in:
You may also work with your family physician virtually through telemedicine.
The difference between family doctors and pediatricians is the age of the people they serve. Family physicians deliver care to people of all ages — from birth until the end of life. Pediatricians work specifically with babies, children and teenagers. Once your child turns 18, their pediatrician will help them transition to a new provider, like a family physician.
If you want a doctor who will provide ongoing, personal care, family medicine is the way to go. Family physicians care for you as a whole person. They deliver care to entire families across generations. So, you don’t have to juggle different providers for each family member or health condition. You can get it all done in one place.
Because they often see you regularly over many years, they get to know not only your medical history, but you on a personal level. You might feel more at ease because they’re the familiar face you and your family see each time you go in.
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Cleveland Clinic’s primary care providers offer lifelong medical care. From sinus infections and high blood pressure to preventive screening, we’re here for you.
Last reviewed on 09/05/2025.
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