Family Medicine / Primary Care
Core concepts
Primary care questions emphasize continuity, prevention, and the biopsychosocial approach. Know the components of the periodic health visit, adult immunization, cancer screening (cervical, breast, colorectal), cardiovascular risk assessment, and the management of common chronic conditions (hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, asthma, depression). Understand the concept of the "undifferentiated symptom" - how to approach fatigue, chest pain, headache, and dizziness with a focused history and targeted examination before ordering tests. Know when to refer and how to apply shared decision-making.
Common traps
Primary care exams test appropriate use of resources: not every symptom needs imaging. Red flags change the pathway - e.g., headache with sudden onset, fever, or neurologic deficit requires urgent referral. Watch for questions on screening intervals and age ranges, which vary by guideline; the exam typically expects the national or widely accepted guideline. Distinguish screening (asymptomatic) from diagnostic testing. Be alert to medication review in the elderly and deprescribing.
Worked example
A 55-year-old with fatigue and normal examination. Rule of thumb: check basic labs (complete blood count, glucose, thyroid, renal function) and screen for depression before advanced testing; most fatigue in primary care has a benign or psychosocial cause.
Rule of thumb
In primary care, the history and red-flag screen usually determine the next step more than any single test.