General Practitioner Training
A general practitioner is a physician who provides comprehensive general medical care rather than specializing in a particular type of disorder or organ system. A GP is often the first point of contact for a sick patient and frequently functions as the primary care doctor. Training to become a general practitioner requires approximately 11 years after high school.
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Job Description
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General practitioners are trained to provide routine care, such as physical examinations and immunizations. They are able to diagnose and treat a wide variety of ailments and injuries, such as ear infections and broken bones. This type of doctor treats patients of all ages and refers patients to specialists when needed. Typically, general practitioners establish long-term relationships with patients and treat them for life.
Education And Training
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A minimum of three years of college is required to apply to medical school, although most candidates earn a bachelor's degree, usually in pre-med or biology. Admission to medical school is very competitive and requires academic excellence, good character, leadership qualities and participation in extracurricular activities. The first two years of medical school consists of classroom and lab work and the second two years involve working with patients under a doctor's supervision.
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Types
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Two types of degrees lead to becoming a physician. Some programs lead to becoming a medical doctor (M.D.) while others lead to becoming a doctor of osteopathy (D.O.) Both degrees require four years of medical school and both require state licensing exams. According to the University of Rochester Medical Center, doctors of osteopathy have additional training in the musculoskeletal system and focusing on the whole person. They may use a manipulative technique similar to chiropractors to improve circulation and help the body heal itself. Both degrees can lead to becoming a general practitioner.
Residency And Licensure
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After medical school, MDs usually enter a residency, which is a form of paid on-the-job training. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), DOs usually serve a year in a rotating internship before beginning a residency. All states require passing a licensing exam to practice as a physician. Contact the state medical board for information on licensing in a particular state.
Considerations
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General practitioners work in a variety of settings, including private offices, large group practices and clinics. The salary of a general practitioner can vary based on location, number of years in practice and hours worked. According to the BLS, the median annual salary of primary care doctors as of May 2008 was approximately $186,000.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit doctor visiting image by TEMISTOCLE LUCARELLI from Fotolia.com
