Handbook of Family Medicine 3rd edition is a practical guide to being a general practitioner in a southern African context. It focuses on the circumstances affecting family medicine within developing countries, the various skills needed on a day-to-day basis, and the best approach to patient care from a holistic perspective. It is the only African text of this nature that deals with the unique difficulties that family medicine doctors have to manage, particularly in under-resourced areas. The real-life case studies provide insight into what medical students will encounter in practice. Contributors are from a number of medical schools and it is this collaboration and contribution of all family medicine specialists which provides a broad area of expertise. The handbook is endorsed by the Family Medicine Education Consortium (FaMEC) and the South African Academy of Family Practice/Primary Care.