The Ohio Academy of Family Physicians (OAFP) is the professional organization serving Ohio's family physicians. With more than 4,400 members, OAFP is one of the largest, most active chapters of the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP).

Legislative advocacy, continuing medical education resources, nationally recognized print and electronic publications, award-winning public relations initiatives and leadership development and networking opportunities are just a few of the services OAFP provides. Our capable and professional staff looks forward to assisting you!

If you have a question that is not answered, OAFP may be able to help you. Please e-mail your question to mail@ohioafp.org.

What is Family Medicine?

• Family medicine is a medical specialty providing comprehensive, continuing healthcare to individuals and to families.
• Family physicians provide direct, comprehensive care for about 90 percent of their patients' healthcare needs.
• New family physicians must complete at least three years of training after medical school in an accredited family medicine residency. After residency, the physician must pass a comprehensive exam to become board certified by the American Board of Family Medicine. In order to maintain board certification, family physicians must complete at least 150 credits of continuing medical education every three years and continue to pass a certification exam every seven years.
• Family medicine is the primary care specialty that spans all ages and stages of the lifecycle.

What do Family Physicians do?

• Family physicians care for people of both genders and all ages. Family physicians develop a partnership with patients, and practice in the context of family and community.
• Family physicians diagnose and treat 90 percent of all patient problems.
• Family physicians understand family dynamics - how family members relate to each other, and help families anticipate and cope with crises.
• Family physicians develop close doctor-patient relationships through continuing contact under many and varied circumstances. Family physicians learn to care for their patients as both individuals and as family members.
• Family physicians work closely with patients and other sub-specialists to coordinate care for special and/or complicated problems.
• Family physicians treat conditions of all organ systems rather than limiting their practice to a specific organ system.
• Family physicians treat the whole patient, taking into account all medical, social and mental health concerns of the individual.
• Many family physicians provide maternity care and deliver babies.
• Family physicians emphasize disease prevention and health maintenance in addition to treating illness.
• Family physicians provide care wherever it is in the best interest of the patient - at the office, in the hospital, in the patient's home, or in a nursing home.

Why is Family Medicine Important?
Evidence suggests that restructuring and strengthening the role of family physicians in the healthcare system will help facilitate access to affordable, high quality healthcare for all Americans. Studies suggest that access to primary care through family physicians is associated with:

• improved health outcomes
• lower mortality rates
• reduced emergency department use
• decreased rates of preventable hospital admissions
• less invasive, lower cost care
• no differences in quality of care when compared to sub-specialist care
• higher patient satisfaction

A Few of the Many Types of Care Family Physicians Can Provide:

• AIDS/HIV
• Alcohol or Drug Problems
• Endocrine problems--diabetes, high cholesterol, thyroid problems
• Fever and infections
• Heart problems--angina, heart disease, heart failure, high blood pressure
• Injuries--broken bones, cuts and lacerations, sprains, strains
• Intestinal problems--abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, heartburn, hemorrhoids, irritable bowel, ulcers
• Mental health problems--anxiety, depression
• Mother and baby care--preconception care, prenatal care, delivering babies, newborn care
• Muscle and bone problems--arthritis, back pain, bursitis, osteoporosis, tendinitis
• Neurologic problems--headaches, stroke
• Respiratory problems--asthma, colds, bronchitis, ear pain, emphysema, hay fever, pneumonia, sore throat
• Routine healthcare--adolescents, adults, babies, birth control, immunizations, children, seniors, smoking cessation
• Skin problems--acne, moles, rashes, warts
• Urinary problems--enlarged prostate, infections, kidney stones
• Women's health--abnormal periods, breast problems, hormone replacement therapy, ovarian cysts, PAP smears, vaginal problems