title: Where I Practice: On the Spaces of Family Medicine.
abstract: In this essay, the author explores 3 distinct "spaces" that have helped him metaphorically map the nature of his work as a family physician. These "spaces" represent cultural, personal, and relational environments in which he has practiced over the course of >30 years since beginning medical school. They concern, respectively, the dominant culture of medicine, one core philosophy of family medicine (the biopsychosocialexistential model), and the development of strong therapeutic bonds with patients. The author presents this textual and graphic exploration of "space" in hopes that others might reflect on their work, examine how they approach it, and bring richness and renewed meaning to their work as family physicians.
authors.affiliation: From the Institute for Studies in History, Anthropology and Archeology, University of El Salvador, San Salvador, El Salvador; and the Department of Family Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR. wventres@gmail.com.
authors.forename: William B
authors.initials: WB
authors.lastname: Ventres
mesh_terms: D005194:Family Practice; D006801:Humans; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D011320:Primary Health Care
keywords: Cross-Cultural Care; Doctor–Patient Relations; Education; Ethics; Family Relations