The purpose of this study was to describe the family physician's patient population in epidemiologic terms and to elucidate why a person would choose to see a family physician rather than other specialists in an urban area. The patient populations of family practices in New York City are described in terms of their demographic and practice attendance characteristics. Comparing their family physicians with other specialists, the patients rated their family physicians on the 12 aspects of care shown in the literature to be most important to patients in terms of physician consulting behavior (continuity, comprehensiveness, family care, rapport, low cost, convenience, interest, time with patient, support, personalized care, convenience of appointment and follow-up, and waiting time). Family physicians scored significantly better than other specialists on each aspect of care (P less than .0001). This study indicates that patients choose to consult family physicians rather than other specialists in New York City because patients view the family physician as performing better than other specialists those aspects of care most important to the patient. There is a need for further study to determine the attitudes of patients seeing other specialists.