What is a family physician?
Family medicine refers to general medical care given to the individual and the family. Family physicians are medical professionals trained in family medicine. Regardless of gender, age, or type of problem, a family physician qualifies to provide treatment and preventive services to each family member. They work in multispecialty group practices and may work full-time or part-time.
They often work in private office settings and can also work in community clinics and hospital settings. They also do a lot of volunteer work by offering services to underserved populations with limited resources concerning medical care due to poverty and illiteracy.
Some people confuse them with internists. Though internists also have similar roles, unlike family physicians, they only treat patients aged 18 and above. Family physicians have expertise in both general and pediatric care. In contrast, internists handle complicated cases as they have in-depth knowledge about how conditions affect internal organs. If a family physician thinks the patient needs more care, they will refer them to specialists, like an internist.
Education and training of a family physician
After earning an undergraduate degree, family medicine doctors study at a general or osteopathic medicine school. To become a doctor, they must complete at least four years of studies at medical school. They must also take the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) to start their practice. They may also appear for an alternate exam, called the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination of the United States (COMLEX-USA).
Aspiring family physicians must also complete a mandatory three to four years of residency training with rotations in medical specializations like pediatrics, obstetrics, general surgery, emergency medicine, psychiatry and neurology, and inpatient hospital care.
After this extensive training in six major medical areas, doctors can start practicing once they gain certification from the American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM) or the American Osteopathic Board of Family Physicians (AOBFP). They also get their license from the state they work in. Every six years, doctors have to get certified again to maintain high standards of medical care.
They can also obtain subspecialty certification, which requires additional training and assessment. Some common subspecialties that they can opt for are:
- Adolescent medicine
- Geriatric medicine
- Hospice and palliative medicine
- Pain medicine
- Sleep medicine
- Sports medicine
What do family physicians do?
Family physicians can deliver a wide range of services. They undertake routine checkups, including for infants. They also perform screening tests, immunizations, health risk assessments, treatment of chronic conditions, and urgent care. They are skilled in conducting procedures like:
- Endoscopy
- Colonoscopy
- Administration of musculoskeletal injections
- Vasectomy
- Ultrasound imaging
- Spirometry
- Suturing laceration
- Family planning
- Pregnancy evaluation in the early stages
Reasons to visit a family doctor
Generally, you can visit a family physician to treat both minor and significant conditions like high blood pressure, kidney disease, skin problems, high cholesterol, asthma, common flu, etc. If you are still deciding who to visit, you can always go to a family physician, and they will guide you to the right specialist if needed. They perform routine checkups for newborns, annual checkups for any age group, men's health screenings, etc.
During your first visit, they will undertake preliminary evaluations, such as analyzing vital signs like blood pressure, heartbeat, temperature, and breathing rate. They could also ask for blood tests to see if you have high cholesterol or diabetes. A few screenings commonly performed at a family medicine clinic include abdominal exams, skin exams, head and neck exams, etc.
How to choose a family physician for yourself and your family?
The path to improved health and well-being often begins with choosing a provider who is accessible and can provide you with continued and timely preventive care, mental healthcare, and emergency medical care at all stages of your life. You can choose a family physician as your primary care doctor. Here are some tips to help you select a primary care provider or family physician:
- Look for a family physician board-certified by the American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM). Board-certified family doctors adhere to the highest standards of care and are aware of the latest advancements in family medicine. The ABFM requires family doctors to get recertified every seven to ten years. They must also complete at least 150 hours of continuing medical education every three years.
- Find a provider who accepts your insurance plan. An in-network primary care doctor will help keep your medical costs down. If you are paying out-of-pocket, you should speak to your doctor's office about costs.
- You may also approach your friends, colleagues, and family members, who may recommend some family physicians or other types of primary care physicians with whom they've had a positive experience.
- Location is another crucial factor in choosing your primary care doctor. Check if your doctor is available near your home, office, or school. You can also ask your physician's office if procedures or lab tests will be done in their clinic or in a lab facility somewhere else.
- Learn the timings of your doctor's clinic when choosing a provider. Ask your physician's office if they offer assistance for issues that may occur after hours and if a medical query can be answered over the phone or online.
- Before choosing a primary care provider, you should check if they accommodate your unique health needs. Your age, gender, life experiences, disability status, trauma, mental state, and specific medical conditions shape the way you interact with healthcare professionals. If you are a member of the LGBTQIA+ community or are transgender, you will need a provider who understands your needs and preferences. Providers practicing gender-affirming care respect an individual's identity and offer emotional and biological interventions necessary to support their well-being. These interventions may include counseling about coming out to peers and family members, assistance with changing outward appearance and gender presentation, medications, hormone therapy, and surgery (rarely provided to people under the age of 18).
What happens at an annual physical exam?
Each appointment is unique, depending on your family physician and your health needs. When you visit a family physician for your annual exam, you can generally expect the following:
Health history
First, this is a great opportunity to update your family physician on your recent health history. It's the perfect time to mention any changes in your family health history or bring up any concerns. For example, if you menstruate, have you noticed any changes in your cycle? This is the moment to discuss something like that. Your family physician might also ask about your exercise, smoking, and drinking habits.
Physical exam
Next, your family physician will perform a physical exam. They will check several basic things just by observing and examining your body from head to toe. During this time, expect your family physician to:
- Take your pulse
- Listen to your heart and lungs
- Examine your mouth and ears
- Check your lymph nodes
- Inspect your skin
- Look for swelling in your extremities
- Perform a breast exam
Height and weight
Your family physician will note your height and weight for body mass index (BMI). A high BMI is linked with a higher risk of cancer and cardiovascular diseases. If you feel uncomfortable with your weight being checked or discussed aloud, let your family physician know ahead of time.
Vital signs and blood pressure
Your vital signs give insight into your body's basic functions. Significant changes in your body temperature, pulse, or breathing rate may indicate an underlying health issue. Your family physician will take your blood pressure and pulse, sometimes repeating the process to ensure accuracy.
Internal exam
Your family physician might also recommend an internal exam or sexual health screening. If you have a vagina, a pelvic exam and/or Pap test could be part of your physical. These exams screen for signs of cervical cancer, HPV (human papillomavirus), or other gynecological issues. However, not all family physicians perform these exams, and they may refer you to an OB/GYN for a well-woman exam.
Blood test
Based on your conversation during the appointment, your family physician may order blood tests to check things like cholesterol, electrolytes, or blood sugar levels. Blood tests help assess organ function and can be key in diagnosing conditions like diabetes, cancer, or heart disease.
Top questions you must ask your family physician
Partnering with the best family physician near you can ensure you and your family stay fit and enjoy a good quality of life. Family physicians prioritize patient education, and by diligently following their advice, you can indeed prevent various health conditions. So the next time you book an appointment with them, consider asking them the following questions:
- What are the recommended screenings or vaccinations for me?
- How often do I need routine checkups?
- Does my family history put me at risk for any health conditions?
- How much should I ideally weigh?
- What is the best diet plan for me?
- What changes in my lifestyle can improve my health?
- Can you provide tips on better sleep?
- What are some stress management strategies to enjoy optimal mental well-being?
Finding the best family physician near you in Frisco, TX
A dedicated family doctor can help you manage overall health for yourself and your family. The need to seek the best care possible is non-negotiable, but it can take a lot of your time and effort to find the experts in Frisco, TX. We at Zocdoc aim to make your search and bookings effortless!
With just a few clicks, you will have your appointment ready. Start with registering on Zocdoc. You must enter details like the specialty you seek, the preferred appointment date, the location, and your insurance plan. This information helps Zocdoc to curate a list of suitable medical experts according to your entries.
Zocdoc makes it simpler for patients to connect with in-network doctors based on the insurance carrier plan they accept. If you are unsure of your insurance carrier plan, you need not worry. Zocdoc has an additional function that enables you to scan and upload your insurance card, which will help you find the plan name. If you feel apprehensive about uploading your medical insurance card or adding other personal information to your account, do not worry! Zocdoc takes your data and privacy seriously. Zocdoc's top priority is keeping each patient's information protected. If you wish to learn more about how Zocdoc handles data and privacy, click here. If you have other questions regarding insurance, you may check out Zocdoc's patient help center.
You can book virtual and in-person appointments with the best family physicians near you through Zocdoc's website. After reviewing their details, such as educational qualifications, professional experience, accolades, and languages they speak, select the profile and click the book appointment button. If you are confused about your choices, we suggest you read the verified patient reviews to help you make an informed decision. Some doctors will treat kids, so remember to check if they have mentioned it. For a video appointment with your doctor, look for a purple button next to the profile.
All bookings on Zocdoc are simple, secure, and free!
Statistics on chronic health conditions and family physicians in Frisco, TX
Physicians are classified as primary care (PCP) if their primary specialty is family medicine, internal medicine, pediatrics, general practice, or geriatrics. There are many doctors with different specializations in Florida. According to a 2018 primary care physician workforce report by the Robert Graham Center, Florida had nearly 13,662 PCPs. Of these, around 4,914 were family physicians.
Florida was home to about 65 PCPs per 100,000 persons, compared to the national figures, i.e., 76 per 100,000. The state's family medicine workforce was nearly 40% female, less than the nationwide percentage of about 45%. The report says that younger family physicians were more likely to be female than their older counterparts, which is the same as the rest of the nation. About 49% of family physicians were over 55, more than the nationwide percentage of 44%.
Family physicians are vital in managing chronic conditions such as hypertension, high cholesterol, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity, and asthma. According to a 2023 America's Health Rankings report, around 32.3% of adults in Texas had high blood pressure. About 34% of these individuals were males, while 30.6% were females. This health condition was most prevalent among older adults, with more than half the reported cases. It affected nearly 62.5% of people above 65. The other age groups were not bereft of hypertension—about 41.6% were between 45 and 64 years, while approximately 14.5% were between 18 and 44.
High cholesterol numbers among the adult population in Texas stood slightly higher at around 36.3% that year. With about 35% females and 37.7% males, both genders were nearly equally affected. Similar to high blood pressure, this condition most significantly impacted those over 65 years (about 53.9%), followed by middle-aged adults of 45-64 years (about 43.6%) and the youngest age group of 18-44 years (about 21.1%).
More data from America's Health Rankings showed that in 2023, about 7.9% of adults had cardiovascular diseases, 8.5% had asthma, 12.7% had diabetes, and nearly 34.4% had obesity in Texas.
Sources
WebMD[1]
WebMD[2]
Zippa
American Academy of Family Physicians[1]
American Academy of Family Physicians[2]
Family Care Network
American Board of Medical Specialties
Robert Graham Center
Conway Medical Center
Dignity Health
America's Health Rankings[1]
America's Health Rankings[2]
America's Health Rankings[3]
America's Health Rankings[4]
America's Health Rankings[5]
America's Health Rankings[6]
FamilyDoctor.org
Healthline
Association of American Medical Colleges
Cleveland Clinic Health Essentials
