What Does a Doctor of Family Medicine Do? (And Why You Need One)

There’s more to family medicine than treating you when you’re sick.

You may only think of seeing your family doctor when something feels wrong, but some of the most valuable care they provide can happen before you have symptoms.

In this article, we’ll explore the many things family doctors do, how they’re trained, and why seeing the same physician over time has been linked to a longer life.

What Is a Doctor of Family Medicine?

A family doctor (also called a family physician) is a medical doctor trained to care for people of all ages, from young adults to seniors, and for almost any health concern. In Canada, after medical school, a doctor of family medicine completes a residency program focused on family medicine, and many go on to earn certification from the College of Family Physicians of Canada (the “CCFP” you may see after a doctor’s name). In Quebec, physicians must also be licensed by the Collège des médecins du Québec.

What makes family medicine different is its breadth. Rather than focusing on one organ or one disease, family doctors look at the whole person: your physical health, your mental well-being, your family history and your daily life. The College of Family Physicians of Canada describes four principles of family medicine, and one of them sums up the specialty well: the relationship between patient and physician is central to care.

What Does a Family Doctor Do?

Family doctors provide care across six main areas of health:

1. Preventive care and check-ups

Prevention is at the heart of family medicine. During a check-up, your doctor can review your blood pressure, weight and heart health, discuss screenings that are appropriate for your age and history, update vaccines, and order blood work when it is needed. Catching a problem early often means simpler treatment. You can read more about this in our article on the power of preventive care.

2. Everyday illnesses and concerns

Infections, rashes, headaches, digestive issues, sleep problems, minor injuries: family doctors assess and treat a wide range of common concerns. When something new comes up and you are not sure what it is, your family doctor is a good first stop.

3. Long-term (chronic) conditions

Conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, asthma, thyroid disorders and high cholesterol need regular follow-up. Your family doctor monitors your results over time, adjusts treatment when needed, and helps you understand how each condition fits into your overall health.

4. Women’s and men’s health

Family doctors provide care that changes with each stage of life. For women, this may include cervical screening, contraception, pregnancy planning and menopause questions. For men, it may include discussions about heart health, prostate health and screening for common conditions.

5. Mental health

Stress, anxiety, low mood and sleep difficulties are among the most common reasons people see a family doctor. Your doctor can listen, help you understand what you are experiencing, start treatment when appropriate, and connect you with additional support if needed.

6. Coordinating your care

When you need a specialist, imaging or further testing, your family doctor helps you get there and keeps track of the results. Instead of piecing information together yourself, you have one physician who sees the full picture.

Why Do I Need a Family Doctor?

If you’re generally healthy, you might wonder whether you really need a family doctor. One of the biggest benefits is continuity of care. By seeing the same physician over time, you establish a medical history that can help them recognize changes in your health.

A 2018 systematic review published in BMJ Open found that patients who see the same doctor over time tend to have better health outcomes, including longer lives, in most of the studies reviewed. Having a regular provider also makes it easier to stay on top of screenings and follow-ups that are easy to postpone when life gets busy.

Access matters too. According to the Canadian Institute for Health Information, 82.6% of adults in Canada reported having a regular health provider in 2024. Having one means you have a place to start, whether the question is big or small.

Family Doctor or Specialist: Where Should You Start?

Many people wonder whether they should book with a family doctor or go directly to a specialist. As a general guide:

• Start with a family doctor when symptoms are new, unclear, or involve more than one part of the body, or when you want a general check-up.
• A specialist is helpful when a specific condition needs focused testing or treatment, for example a thyroid nodule, a breast concern or a gynecological issue.

Often the best path is both: your family doctor assesses the concern, organizes the right tests, and refers you to the appropriate specialist, then stays involved in your follow-up care.

Family Medicine at VM Med in Montreal

At the VM Med Family Medicine Center, located on Sherbrooke Street West in downtown Montreal, our priority is to understand each patient’s health in its full context. Consultations are designed to give you space to ask questions, while your physician takes the time to understand your medical history and concerns before recommending next steps.

Dr. Pershang Ghaderi, M.D., C.C.F.P., provides family medicine care at VM Med, with a focus on preventive health and the diagnosis and management of acute and chronic conditions. She also helps coordinate her patients’ care when specialized services are needed. With specialists in breast health, thyroid care, gynecology, surgery and radiology under the same roof, VM Med makes it possible for patients to access multidisciplinary care in one location.

You can learn more about our physicians on our Meet Our Doctors page.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a family doctor and a general practitioner?

In Canada, the terms are often used interchangeably. “General practitioner” (GP) is an older term for a doctor who provides general medical care, while “family physician” reflects the specialty of family medicine as it is taught today. 

Most family doctors in Canada complete a residency in family medicine after medical school, and many hold certification from the College of Family Physicians of Canada, shown as “CCFP” after their name. 

In everyday practice, both provide first-contact care, preventive care and ongoing management of common health conditions, and both coordinate referrals to specialists when more focused care is needed. Whichever term is used, what matters most is finding a doctor you trust.

Do I need a family doctor if I am healthy?

Yes, in most cases it is worthwhile. A family doctor is not only there when you are sick; much of their work is preventive. 

Regular visits allow your doctor to check your blood pressure, review your family history, recommend screenings for your age, and keep your vaccines up to date. 

They also create a baseline: when your doctor knows what is normal for you, it is easier to notice when something changes. Many health conditions, such as high blood pressure or high cholesterol, cause no symptoms in their early stages, which is why a regular relationship with a physician can help you stay healthy rather than react to problems later.

What is a private family doctor?

This term describes a family physician who practises outside the public, RAMQ-billed system. Instead of the visit being billed to the Quebec health insurance plan, the patient pays for the consultation directly. 

The medical training and licensing are the same: physicians who practise privately in Quebec are licensed by the Collège des médecins du Québec and follow the same professional standards as all physicians. 

Some people choose private care for the scheduling flexibility or the length of consultations. At VM Med, our team is happy to share pricing with you once the type of appointment you need has been confirmed.

How often should I see a doctor of family medicine?

There is no single rule that applies to everyone. How often you should see your family doctor depends on your age, your health, your family history and any conditions you are managing. 

Many healthy adults benefit from a periodic check-up to review screenings, vaccines and general health, while people living with a chronic condition such as diabetes or high blood pressure usually need more regular follow-up. 

Your doctor will recommend a schedule that fits your situation. In addition to planned visits, it is a good idea to book an appointment whenever you notice a new or persistent symptom, rather than waiting for your next check-up.

Can a family doctor refer me to a specialist?

Yes. Referring patients to specialists is one of the most important parts of a family doctor’s role. 

Many specialists require a referral from a physician before they can see you, and a referral from your family doctor includes your medical history, current medications and the results of any tests already done. This helps the specialist focus on your concern from the very first appointment. 

Your family doctor also receives the specialist’s findings, so your care stays coordinated. At VM Med, having family medicine and several specialty centers in the same clinic can make this process simpler and faster for patients to follow.

Take the First Step

The value of having a family doctor grows over time. As your physician becomes familiar with your medical history, they can help you recognize changes in your health and make informed decisions about your care. If you have questions or would like to meet our family medicine team, book a consultation with our experts.