Who is a family physician?
A family physician is a healthcare expert who focuses on offering comprehensive medical treatment to individuals and families. They have the knowledge, distinct attitudes, and skills that qualify them to serve as each patient's advocate in their health matters. They also use technology and data to coordinate resources and improve treatment. Most importantly, they act as the patient's initial point of contact for medical issues.
What is the education and training of family physicians?
Family physicians hold a Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) or an Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) degree. Once their undergraduate studies are complete, they enroll in a four-year medical school program. They invest over 9,000 hours in clinical studies, lectures, labs, and hands-on patient care during medical school. In addition, they either pass the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination of the USA (COMLEX-USA) or the United States Medical Licensing Exam (USMLE).
They then start three years of full clinical training in a residency program authorized by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). They take the final "step" of the USMLE or COMLEX-USA (step three exam) during the first year of residency (sometimes referred to as the internship year). Family doctors perform rotations in general surgery, pediatrics, emergency medicine, obstetrics, and inpatient hospital care during residency.
After training and fulfilling all prerequisites, they take the American Academy of Family Physicians (ABFM) or the American Osteopathic Board of Family Physicians (AOBFP) certification. Then, they apply for state licensing to become a board-certified family physician. Some family physicians chose fellowship for more concentrated training as a post-residency option.
What are the subspecialties of family medicine?
After completing residency training, some family medicine doctors may opt for additional training and complete a fellowship program in one or more subspecialty areas of family medicine. These include the following-
- Geriatric medicine - Physicians specializing in geriatric medicine have extensive knowledge of aging and associated illnesses. Geriatric care is offered exclusively to older adult patients as specific diseases and injuries may affect them differently than younger adults or teenagers. Family doctors trained in geriatrics have special skills in the diagnostic, therapeutic, rehabilitative, and preventive care aspects of older adults. These doctors manage and treat conditions like dementia, incontinence, Alzheimer's disease, and cardiovascular disease.
- Sleep medicine - This subspecialty focuses on diagnosing, managing, and treating sleep disturbances and disorders like sleepwalking, obstructive sleep apnea, narcolepsy, and insomnia. People with trouble in their sleep-wake cycle may snore during sleep, have difficulty staying asleep throughout the night, and feel tired during the day. Family medicine doctors specializing in sleep medicine are highly skilled in analyzing and interpreting comprehensive polysomnography (a type of sleep study). They are also well-versed in emerging research and management of a sleep laboratory.
- Hospice and palliative medicine - Hospice and palliative care involve caring for patients with life-limiting conditions like cancer, Parkinson's disease, dementia, or heart failure. Palliative care enhances an individual's current state by focusing on the quality of life for them and their family. Doctors offering hospice and palliative care services work in an interdisciplinary team of many healthcare professionals, including nurses, specialists, social workers, and nutritionists.
- Pain medicine - Family medicine doctors specializing in pain medicine know how to effectively treat and manage pain due to acute or chronic illnesses. Pain can arise due to many reasons. Such doctors also help patients recover from postoperative pain and manage pain associated with malignancy or disorders in which pain constitutes the main problem, such as neuropathic pains or headaches.
- Sports medicine - Family physicians specializing in sports medicine are experts in preventing, diagnosing, and managing various injuries caused by sports. They also study how certain illnesses may affect health and athletic performance.
What procedures can a family physician perform?
Family physicians are well qualified to provide comprehensive healthcare. They can provide diagnoses, create treatment plans, and recommend tests. Hence, they are skilled in performing various procedures, including-
- A colonoscopy — is a procedure that helps check the large intestine and rectum for any abnormalities, such as cancer, polyps, or swollen or irritated tissues.
- Vasectomy — is a procedure to avoid pregnancy. It prevents sperm from reaching the semen ejaculate. However, orgasm and ejaculation are still possible.
- Endoscopy — allows visual examination of an organ without making a large incision. The family physician employs specialized equipment to inspect and operate the body's internal organs and vessels.
- Colposcopy — carefully look for signs of disease in the vulva, cervix, and vagina. The family physician uses a specific tool called a colposcopy.
- Spirometry — is the most prevalent breathing or pulmonary function test. It evaluates the ability to effortlessly and quickly blow out air from your lungs. Additionally, it measures how much air you can comfortably breathe in and out of your lungs.
- Skin biopsy — is the procedure of taking skin or cell samples from the body for laboratory analysis. It aids in the identification of skin diseases and the removal of abnormal tissue.
- Ultrasound imaging — is a painless diagnostic method that uses sound waves to bounce off tissues and organs as they travel through the body, creating images of the internal organs.
- Musculoskeletal injections — involve local anesthetics, which provide rapid analgesia (medications that relieve different types of pain) and confirm accurate injection placement.
When should you see a family physician?
You can visit a family physician near you if you have a severe problem that may call for a specialist, such as a heart condition or other. They can recommend you to a skilled specialist. Moreover, they may also collaborate with your specialist to plan your prescriptions and keep an eye on your condition.
They can frequently treat an illness or injury you or your family member has without the assistance of a specialist. Some examples are stomach viruses, simple fractures and sprains, pneumonia, and ear infections. Additionally, you can see them for routine examinations, such as men's health screenings, newborn and well-child checkups, annual physicals, sports physicals, and female pelvic exams.
What to expect at your first family physician appointment?
The first visit to a family doctor typically begins by answering questions about your overall health. Your family physician or a nurse may start by checking your vitals, blood pressure, height, weight, and pulse.
Your doctor will also want to understand your medical history and family history of illnesses in detail. Inform your family doctor about any previously diagnosed chronic conditions. Learning your family history will help your provider determine your future risk for certain genetic disorders and offer timely preventive care. Ensure you write down a list of all the symptoms you have been experiencing and their frequency and duration. Also, remember to take all your medical records, i.e., previous tests, medications, and supplements.
It is common to feel uncomfortable or awkward sharing your personal history with your doctor. However, it is important to share even the most minor details, including mental stressors, how much you smoke or how much alcohol you drink, and if you have ever used drugs. Patients often forget to tell their providers about specific procedures or tests they have had. Procedures like organ removals and minor outpatient surgeries are vital information and help diagnose your current issue.
A typical physical examination may involve the following:
- Inspecting your skin for warning signs of disease to help check for any unusual moles, rashes, breakouts, or skin concerns you might have.
- The family doctor may use a stethoscope to listen to your heartbeat for any irregularities. They also use it to check if your breathing is normal.
- Check for swelling of the lymph nodes on the side of your neck by gently pressing against them.
- Depending on your age and anatomy, your provider may perform a breast, pelvic, or prostate exam.
- Examine the inside of your ear canal for infections or other ear conditions using a medical instrument.
Once your family physician has examined you, they may recommend a treatment plan or tests such as C.T. scans, urine analysis, bloodwork, stress tests, and an electrocardiogram (ECG) for further diagnostic investigation.
Based on your test results, the family doctor will suggest treatment options, including medication, surgery, or a combination of the two, depending on your condition. They may also refer you to a medical or surgical specialist. Your family doctor may also ask about your vaccinations and immunizations to protect against the flu, COVID-19, tetanus, HPV, hepatitis A and B, and other illnesses. As a part of your preventive care plan, they will also advise you on healthy diets and educate you on harmful habits like smoking.
Finding the best family physician near you in Flushing, Queens, NY
People of all ages need to undergo the appropriate screenings and treatments. The best choice for most medical problems is a family physician. However, finding someone with experience may be challenging. Matching patients with the best medical providers is Zocdoc's primary objective.
On Zocdoc, you may look up providers based on your symptoms, preferred location and time, and insurance plan. Additionally, you can narrow your search for them depending on their language, gender, hospital affiliations, and whether or not they treat children.
Each provider's qualifications, affiliations, recognitions, awards, qualifications, experience, specialties, licensing, and other details are present on the doctor profiles on Zocdoc. Additionally, Zocdoc gathers and updates patient ratings and reviews to help you find a top-rated family physician near you in Flushing, New York.
With Zocdoc, you can schedule appointments both online and in person. Appointment bookings on Zocdoc are easy, secure, and cost-free.
Family medicine physicians in Flushing, New York
A 2019 Association of American Medical Colleges dataset shows that around 4,707 family medicine physicians were actively practicing in New York in 2018. About 2,090 (44.5%) of them were female, and approximately 1,645 (35%) were aged 60 and above.
According to May 2021 State Occupational Employment and Wages Estimates New York by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were around 3,410 family medicine physicians in New York. Later, this number increased to about 6,818 (16%), as the Kaiser Family Foundation reported in May 2022.
According to the Family Medicine Physician Demographics and Statistics in the U.S. by Zippia, New York is the most popular place for family physicians. Additionally, family medicine doctors make up about 74% of the population and have an average age of 40 or older in the USA.
Sources
American Academy of Family Physicians[1]
American Academy of Family Physicians[2]
American Academy of Family Physicians[3]
American Academy of Family Physicians[4]
Urology Care Foundation
National Center for Biotechnology Information
Cleveland Clinic[1]
WebMD[1]
WebMD[2]
Mayo Clinic[1]
Mayo Clinic[2]
Mayo Clinic[3]
Healthline[1]
American Lung Association
Association of American Medical Colleges
Kaiser Family Foundation
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Zippia
American Board of Medical Specialties
Mount Sinai
WebMD[3]
Healthline[2]
American Board of Pain Medicine
National Institute on Aging
WebMD[4]
Cleveland Clinic[2]
Intercoastal Medical Group
