Turning Points and Transitions in the Health of the Patients: A Perspective from Family Medicine

Turning point is a key concept in the developmental life course approach, but is currently understudied in Family Medicine, and merits further research. A turning point often involves a particular event, experience, or awareness of it, that results in changes in the direction of a pathway or persistent trajectory over the long-term. Turning points are transitions of healthcare, or changes demographic, epidemiological, psychological, social, or economic, or the key political events, crises, or decisions or regulations in the health system. Turning points are risky times which can make that the patient (and his entire family) is more vulnerable or stronger. In this article, we aim: 1) To provide a general vision of the relevant literature in the concept of “turning points”; 2) To discuss the methodological and practical considerations to use the indicators of “turning points” in the routine assistance in the consultation of the Family Medicine; and 3) To suggest areas for future research. The practical approach could be a way to see not only “problems” in patients, but also their transitions. The family doctor allows changes, where patients move from one stage to another, while help keeping all possibilities to achieve positive results. From this perspective, addressing the apparent problems and obstacles of life does not necessarily mean risks or chaos, but opportunities to gain depth in vision, and identify strengths unknown. Once the family doctor adopts this position can better help his patient to rearrange and recreate their world. *Corresponding author José Luis Turabián, Department of Family Medicine and Community, Health Center “Santa Maria de Benquerencia”, Calderón de la Barca, 24, 45313 Yepes, Toledo, Spain, Tel: 925154508; Email: