A new family practice residency curriculum in the format of the special requirements for residency training is proposed. This new curriculum consolidates the original principles of family practice with current developments in medical practice and changes in society. The emphasis is on increased flexibility, a competency-based curriculum, an extensive evaluation and audit system, curricular control by family practice faculty, increased ambulatory care training, a commitment to the biopsychosocial model and community-oriented primary care, and the reiteration of the basic core of medical knowledge and clinical skills.