Family medicine in Iran: the birth of a new specialty.

Since the revolution of 1978-1979, the government of Iran has worked toward development of a primary health care system to improve basic health for its citizens. Although infant mortality and other parameters have improved, increasing urbanization and poor lifestyle choices continue to present major challenges to improving overall health statistics in the country. Generalist physicians, with no training beyond medical school graduation, have not inspired confidence from patients or specialist colleagues.