This specialty, which is very popular in western countries (where it is the backbone of medical practice) is yet a new specialty in India. The recent years has seen the re-emergence of this specialty, which was once recognized by boards like the National Board (then called the MNAMS). The present Post-Graduate Degree in Family Medicine aims to mould Doctors who are capable of providing comprehensive care to the patient and his family. Hence training is provided in the fields of General medicine, Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ophthalmology, Ear-Nose-Throat (ENT), Dermatology etc., with adequate practical implication and responsibilities, which differs from that given during the Undergraduate period.

Focus is also given to the preventive and promotive aspects of health care- an aspect which is sidelined by many a specialist and super-specialist (For details on the DNB programme in Family medicine log on the site of National Board www.natboard.nic.in).

In our Institution, the Post-Graduate students go through rotatory posting in all the above-mentioned department, undergo specialized training in psychiatry in NIMHANS, in urban health centers for family planning procedures and also in a rural health centre for a few months. Moreover, School health check ups, Health Camps for patient education and master health check ups are also included in the curriculum. Overall, the Family Physician is taught not just to concentrate on the patient alone, but to take the patient and his family as a single unit, considering their social, cultural and economic background, and administer health needs accordingly.