What does a family doctor do?

I'm considering a career in medicine, and I'm curious about what a family doctor does on a daily basis. What are their main responsibilities, and what kind of education and training is required to become one?

Family physicians, often referred to as general practitioners or family doctors, are primary healthcare providers who practice general medicine. This means they are not specialized in any single area of medicine but instead are knowledgeable about a variety of health conditions and diseases.

Daily responsibilities of a family doctor can include conducting routine check-ups, diagnosing and treating common illnesses and chronic diseases such as high blood pressure or diabetes, providing personalized counseling on lifestyle and preventative healthcare, managing vaccines, and referring patients to specialists when necessary. In essence, a family doctor plays a significant role in a patient's overall health planning and management over their lifespan.

As for education and training to become a family doctor, it's quite a long journey. It begins with obtaining a Bachelor's degree, usually in a science-related field, followed by four years of medical school. After medical school, aspiring family physicians need to complete a three-year residency program in family medicine.

During residency, they get the opportunity to practice medicine under the supervision of experienced physicians across various specialties. This training provides them with the broad-based knowledge they need to diagnose and treat a wide array of health conditions. Afterward, they must pass a board certification exam to demonstrate their competence in family medicine.

Family medicine is a fulfilling but challenging career path, requiring substantial educational commitment and delivering diverse daily work with a wide range of patient demographics and medical conditions. It's great for those who enjoy long-term patient relationships and a broad scope of practice.