Family physicians complete post graduate training beyond medical school including three-years residency at medical school followed by a publication of original research.

They receive in-depth training across a human lifespan from birth to death.

Family physicians have an impact through their six recognised roles as physicians, consultants, capacity builders, leaders of clinical governance, supporters of community-orientated primary care and clinical trainers.

Their impact in these roles is seen as substantial, significantly greater than medical officers and similar in both district hospitals and primary care as well as rural and metropolitan areas.

They have improved access to and the comprehensiveness of care at the community level.

They have also had an impact on clinical processes for chronic diseases, maternal and child health as well as emergency care including personalized counselling on maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

From heart disease, stroke, and hypertension, to diabetes, mental illness, cancer, and asthma, family physicians provide ongoing, personal care for the nation’s most serious health problems.

As physicians, they are trained as expert generalists in 211 clinical skills across clinical domains (e.g., medicine, surgery, obstetrics, anaesthetics, paediatrics, emergencies, psychiatry, orthopaedics, community medicine) relevant to all problems seen at district hospitals and primary care.

They are trained to be patient-centred and to also address health promotion, disease prevention, palliative care, and rehabilitative care issues.

As consultants, they are the most highly trained member of the clinical health care team and focus on seeing more complicated patients within a multidisciplinary team approach.

They are trained in the educational skills necessary to improve the capability of the other health care team members through mentoring, clinical training, and teaching.

They take the lead in clinical governance activities to improve the quality of care.

Their training also includes an approach to integrating public health and primary care perspectives and supporting the development of community-based services.

Many family physicians will also be responsible for the training of medical students, clinical associates, or registrars in family medicine.