A portrait of the discipline of general practice/family medicine

Abstract

General practice/family medicine is the essential basis of health systems that are both clinically-effective and cost-effective. This paper describes the nature of General Practice and its role within health systems internationally, providing some comparisons between the UK National Health Service and other health systems worldwide. It has particular regard to current organisation and practice, education and training.

• General practice
• family medicine
• medical education
• postgraduate medical training
• primary care
• health systems reform