What specialty is trained to care for patients from birth to life?

Family Medicine is the specialty trained to care for patients across all stages of life, from birth through old age. Family medicine practitioners focus on comprehensive, continuous healthcare that includes preventative care, diagnosis, and treatment of a wide range of medical conditions for individuals and families.

This specialty is unique in its approach because it emphasizes the importance of understanding the patient within the context of their family and community. Family medicine practitioners are skilled in managing acute and chronic illnesses, providing routine check-ups, and addressing both physical and mental health needs of patients at any age.

While pediatrics specializes in the care of infants, children, and adolescents, and geriatrics focuses on the healthcare needs of older adults, family medicine encompasses both of these age groups along with all others. This makes family medicine particularly versatile and holistic in its patient care approach, as it is equipped to foster relationships with patients throughout their entire life span, which not only enhances health outcomes but also ensures continuity of care.

Internal medicine primarily deals with adult patients, and geriatrics is specifically concerned with elderly patients, which distinguishes family medicine as the appropriate specialty for caring for individuals from birth to end of life.