Family Care - Does It Matter?

Does family care really matter? When we're sick, we tend to focus on the specific area of our body that's causing discomfort – a headache, abdominal pain, or earache. However, today we understand that we cannot explain all bodily phenomena through the analysis of individual organs alone. Precise diagnosis requires a deep understanding of an individual's psychological processes and the social dynamics within the family and immediate environment. Such understanding can only be achieved through years of familiarity, including interactions with family members, involvement in various health and illness situations, and numerous conversations between the physician and the patients. It is family medicine that encompasses the entirety of an individual, and we believe it's important to discuss the role of your personal family physician.

What Does a Family Physician Cover?

A family physician is named so because they care for the individual and their family throughout all stages of life, encompassing all genders, diseases, and bodily systems. Additionally, the term "family" is apt because they become part of your family. The mere fact that there is one person responsible for managing your health allows for the most thorough care, the care that you deserve. The familiarity your family physician has with you, both personally and within your family, is what enables the promotion of your health, disease prevention, and comprehensive symptom management. At Clalit Health Services, we view your family physician as your partner. The familiarity established between you and your physician, in both personal and familial contexts, enables the most comprehensive and superior care. Years of study, work in various hospital departments, acquaintance with various medical conditions, and ongoing professional development after obtaining family medicine certification, make this individual perfectly suited to oversee your healthcare.

The Role of a Family Physician

We asked our family physicians how they define their role, and their answers varied:

• Your personal family physician is personal indeed. They accompany you throughout your life, both in times of health and illness.
• They care for your family – not only you but often your parents, siblings, and adult children as well. They are familiar with familial medical conditions and the dynamics between family members.
• The familiarity between you and your family physician is built over years, whether it relates to physical or mental health. They are the ones who receive recommendations from specialists but still know how to tailor the treatment according to your needs and the needs of your family. From examinations to treatments, there is constant communication between the doctor and the patient, including regular visits, phone calls, emails, and deep, genuine familiarity.
• The connection formed between the patient and their family physician over years allows for trust and compassion.
• A visit to your family physician goes far beyond the symptoms you present. Their familiarity with you and the conversations you have allow them to see the bigger picture, finding long-term solutions. They can tell whether different symptoms indicate one or more medical conditions.
• Their familiarity with you enables them to understand your specific lifestyle and how it affects your health.
• Your family physician listens beyond what is spoken, distinguishing between physiological and emotional aspects.
• The relationship between the patient and their family physician over years allows for trust and compassion.

In summary, why have a personal family physician?

• Your personal family physician is familiar with your personal and family medical history.
• Your family physician manages your medical records and bridges the gap between various medical specialists treating you.
• Your family physician is your primary diagnostician and will refer you to appropriate care or consultations.
• Your family physician follows your health throughout your life, tracking important indicators like weight, height, blood pressure, blood sugar levels, and more.
• Your family physician guides health promotion and disease prevention. They are attuned to your lifestyle and advise when changes are needed to improve your quality of life and health.
• Your accessibility to your family physician allows for early detection and management of medical issues.
• Your personal family physician is knowledgeable about the physical, mental, and social factors influencing your health.