ABSTRACT
This chapter covers components of supportive environments necessary for high-quality family practice. These include promoting positive relationships; developing professional organizations; financing and rewarding optimal practice; improving access; supporting primary care research; enhancing the quality and outcomes of practice; and strategic planning for family medicine development. Family doctors need supportive environments to enable them to care for individuals, families, and communities. Many conditions are necessary for the success of family practice. Relationships between family doctors and their patients, colleagues, and the community affect the climate for continued growth and development of family medicine as a discipline. Family doctors can contribute to public health education. Positive relationships between family doctors, health team members, and colleagues provide a foundation for effective partnerships. A number of groups of health professionals may be affected by the development of family medicine.
