Family Medicine Physician

Your Fit

Income

$238K

Preparation

Extensive

Growth

3.7%

Definition
Your fit with this career
How much they earn
What they do
Job satisfaction
How to become

What is a Family Medicine Physician?

Family Medicine Physicians are primary care doctors who provide comprehensive health care to individuals and families across all ages, genders, diseases, and parts of the body. They are responsible for diagnosing, treating, and providing preventative care to their patients.

Sample job titles:

Family Physician, Family Practice Physician (FP Physician), Medical Doctor (MD), Physician

Your test results

Why this fit score?

The fit report shows your areas of fit and misfit with Family Medicine Physician.

Fit report

Test scores

The scores report summarizes what we learned about you. It shows your results on everything measured in the career test.

Scores report

How much does a Family Medicine Physician earn

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, typical income (in USD) in 2024 was...

Bottom 10%	Bottom 25%	Median (average)	Top 25%	Top 10%
$81K per year	$168K per year	$238K per year	NA per year	NA per year

Compared to other careers: Median is $189K above the national average.

See income by country/state/province

What does a Family Medicine Physician do?

Work environment

Family Medicine Physicians typically work in outpatient settings such as private practices, community health centers, and clinics. Some may work in hospitals or provide care in patients' homes. They often have regular, scheduled work hours but may also provide on-call services.

Quick task list

Conducts physical exams and health screenings.
Diagnoses and treats illnesses and injuries.
Manages chronic diseases such as diabetes and hypertension.
Provides counseling and education on health maintenance and disease prevention.
Coordinates care with specialists when necessary.
Performs minor surgical procedures.

See full list of tasks with expert relevance ratings

Areas of specialization

Geriatric Medicine: Focusing on healthcare for elderly patients.
Sports Medicine: Specializing in treating and preventing sports-related injuries.
Adolescent Medicine: Providing care tailored to the unique needs of teenagers.
Hospice and Palliative Medicine: Specializing in end-of-life care and serious illness management.
Obstetrics: Including prenatal care and delivery for pregnant patients.

Description

Family Medicine Physicians are often the first point of contact in the healthcare system, providing a gateway to specialized care when needed. They build long-term relationships with patients, offering continuous and comprehensive care throughout their lives. This field requires a broad knowledge of many areas of medicine, as family physicians must be prepared to treat a wide variety of conditions and coordinate care among different specialists.

The role is diverse, with physicians treating patients of all ages with various medical issues. Family Medicine Physicians need to be adaptable, able to switch from treating a pediatric patient one moment to an elderly patient the next. They also play a crucial role in preventive care, helping to identify and mitigate potential health issues before they become serious.

In addition to medical expertise, this profession requires excellent communication skills. Family Medicine Physicians must be able to build trust with their patients, communicate complex medical information clearly, and provide compassionate care. They often serve as a confidant and advisor to their patients, impacting not just their physical health, but their emotional and mental wellbeing as well.

Job Satisfaction

Sources of satisfaction

Developing long-standing relationships with patients and their families.
The variety of medical cases and challenges encountered daily.
The ability to impact community health through preventive care and health education.

You might make a good Family Medicine Physician if you are...

Passionate about providing comprehensive healthcare to a diverse patient population.
A strong communicator who can build relationships and trust with patients.
Interested in a wide range of medical fields and continuous learning.
Compassionate and empathetic, with a desire to make a long-term impact on patients' lives.
Organized and able to manage a diverse range of medical cases effectively.

Pros:

Diverse and rewarding work with patients of all ages and backgrounds.
Opportunities for long-term patient relationships and community impact.
Flexibility in practice settings and work-life balance.

Cons:

The broad scope of knowledge required can be challenging.
Dealing with a wide range of medical issues can be demanding.
The pressure of being the first point of care in many cases.

How to become a Family Medicine Physician

Typical education

Becoming a Family Medicine Physician requires a minimum of 11 years of education after high school: 4 years of undergraduate study, 4 years of medical school, and 3 years of residency training in family medicine.

High school preparation

Courses:

Advanced science courses (biology, chemistry, physics) to build a solid foundation.
Mathematics for analytical and problem-solving skills.
Psychology to understand patient behavior and mental health.

Extra-Curricular Activities:

Volunteering at healthcare facilities or community health organizations.
Participation in science clubs or health-focused student organizations.
Shadowing healthcare professionals.

Preparation after high school

Complete an undergraduate degree, preferably in a science-related field.
Attend medical school to obtain a Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathy (DO) degree.
Complete a residency program in family medicine.
Obtain board certification in family medicine.

More resources

American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) - Provides resources, advocacy, and education for family medicine physicians.
Family Medicine Residency Curriculum Resource - Offers a comprehensive curriculum guide for family medicine residency training.
The American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM) - Provides board certification and continuing medical education for family physicians.
Society of Teachers of Family Medicine (STFM) - A community of family medicine educators sharing resources and promoting excellence in education.
Journal of Family Practice - A professional journal featuring the latest research and developments in family medicine.

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