The Job Description of a Family Doctor

Family physicians often serve as the primary health givers to families.

The image of the family physician is often one of kindly, white-coated physician caring for the medical needs of a family throughout their lives. These doctors occupy a special place in the health care field, providing families with primary medical care. They can be found anywhere families need a trained doctor to supervise and oversee their health care needs.

Duties

A family physician often provides the first place families go to when they have health problems, check-ups, or other health care needs. They can assess and treat a wide range if illnesses and injuries, as well as provide vaccinations and preventative care. When they have patients with more serious conditions, or conditions outside their expertise, family doctors can refer patients to specialists or health care facilities to give the specific care required.

Education And Training

Like other physicians, family doctors must go through extensive education before they can practice medicine. To become a family physician, doctors must have an M.D. (Medical Doctor) degree or a D.O. (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine) degree. Family physicians must have bachelor's degree, get into medical school, and then go through three to eight more years of training as an intern and a resident. Family physicians often have a broad base of knowledge on a range of medical subjects most commonly encountered in a family practice setting.

Work Environment

Most family physicians work in a comfortable office setting. They can work extended hours, though their work load is largely dependent on the nature and size of their practice. Medical emergencies may require them to work extended or odd hours, including weekends or holidays.

Skills

Family physicians must possess a strong desire to serve patients and help people with health problems. As advisers and primary care providers, these professionals must often have a pleasant and professional bedside manner, meaning they must be able to easily interact with patients, even those with dangerous and potentially deadly health conditions. Family physicians must be emotionally stable and able to advise patients on life-changing decisions and choices.

Jobs And Salary

About 660,000 men and women are physicians and surgeons in the United States in 2008, with about 12 percent practicing family medicine, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Job opportunities are expected to grow much faster than average between 2008 and 2018, especially in rural or under-served areas. The average salary for a primary care physician in 2008 was about $186,000, according to BLS.

References

• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Physicians and Surgeons