American Board of Family Practice definition

Last reviewed 01/2018

The ABFP definition refers to family practice as:

  • the point of entry into the health care system
  • continuous over time in sickness and in health
  • comprehensively covering all major traditional disciplines
  • coordinating all health care needs
  • taking responsibility for follow-up of the individual and the community
  • highly personalised

ref: J Murtagh in General Practice 1e 1994