Family Medicine

Making informed decisions about specialty choice can be challenging without current and trustworthy information about the medical specialty you are researching. This section provides credible resources that help you find answers to questions about a career in family medicine.

Defining the Specialty

The specialty of family medicine is centered on lasting, caring relationships with patients and their families. Family physicians integrate the biological, clinical and behavioral sciences to provide continuing and comprehensive health care. The scope of family medicine encompasses all ages, sexes, each organ system and every disease entity. Read more about the history, scope and definition of family medicine by reviewing the following resources.

• Value of Family Medicine
• Family Medicine's Model of Care
• History, Scope and Resources

Questions About Family Medicine

Several family medicine organizations have collaborated to develop a special article in the July 1, 2007, issue of American Family Physician, entitled, "Responses to Medical Students' Frequently Asked Questions About Family Medicine." The article provides answers to many of the questions asked about the specialty. It also discusses the importance of primary care, the many benefits of family medicine, education and training to become a family physician and the issues of lifestyle and medical student debt.

• Responses to Medical Students' FAQs About Family Medicine

Lifestyle & Income

Family medicine is a specialty characterized by a high level of professional satisfaction, personal balance between career and home, and a comfortable lifestyle. While practice arrangements, to a large extent, determine work hours, schedule and family time, flexible practice models offer family physicians a wide range of lifestyle options. Thave the flexibility to define their careers based on their own skills and preferences. They are also able to tailor their practices to the specific needs of the community in which they live.

It is important to understand the connection between income and the lifestyle you can expect to have as a family physician. There is a general rule that, no matter what the profession, the more time you commit and the harder you work, the more you are paid. The tradeoff is the loss of flexibility - the ability to maintain life balance. Most family physicians will tell you that they are comfortable with their salaries and the balance they have found in their personal and professional lives. Family physicians also enjoy flexible practice options and the ability they have to "make a living and a life."

• Practice profile surveys

Practice Options

Family physicians have, perhaps, the greatest variety of practice settings from which to choose. They also have the flexibility to shape their careers to best meet their knowledge, skills and interests. In addition to direct patient care, family physicians can pursue opportunities in education, research and public health, to name a few options. Practice surveys indicate that, on average, family physicians spend nearly 40 hours per week in patient-related activities, have five weeks of vacation time and are tech-savvy enough to implement techniques that will improve their practices. Read more about career and practice options in family medicine below.

Training Requirements

Training for family physicians is a process that begins with medical school and continues through residency. During their time in medical school, students take two "step" exams, called the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE), and must take core clerkships, or periods of clinical instruction. Passing both exams and the clerkships grants students the "Medical Doctor" (MD) degree, which entitles them to start full clinical training in a residency program.

• Choosing a Residency
• Residency
• Requirements
• Dual Degrees
• Beyond Residency

Pre-Med

Are you thinking about medical school? Whether you are on a pre-med track or just toying with the idea, you are in the right place. In this section learn about choosing a career in medicine, academics in the pre-med years, taking the MCAT, applying to and selecting medical schools, different types of medical school programs, and the timeline for the process.

Choosing a Career in Medicine

Here are the most frequently asked questions about choosing a career in medicine. Peruse the following topics to find out information about becoming a doctor.

• Should I Choose a Career in Medicine?
• What Types of Physicians are Needed?
• What is the Course of Study in Medical School?
• Is Medical School Difficult?
• How Expensive is Medical School?
• What if I Am Not Sure About a Career in Medicine?
• Resource List for a Medical Career

The Pre-Med Years

The choice what area of study you should major in during college and what classes to take is a difficult decision to make. Learn how to navigate your way through the academic structure, understand what requirements are necessary for getting into medical school and find out more information on the MCAT. Outside of academics, there are numerous other ways to prepare for a career in medicine. You can learn about all of these in this section and prepare yourself to be an excellent candidate for medical school.

• Academics & the MCAT
• Other Activities

Applying to Medical School

• Selection Process
• Types of Programs
• Secondary Application
• Personal Statement
• Interviews

Timeline

In planning your career as a future family physician, you will want to keep track of all aspects of your educational progress as you make your way to medical school. Use this timeline as a checklist for your personal academic record.

• Pre-Med Timeline

Resources

Explore family medicine. Check out the Cyber Guide for Students, the Explore Family Medicine brochure, the Global Health Fact Sheet, and more. Discover the clinical, journal and news resources of the AAFP. Listed below are the resources available to you.

• Brochures and Handouts
• American Academy of Family Physicians Publications and Resources
• Clinical Resources
• Presentations