Who is a family physician?
Family physician, general practitioner (GP), or primary care physician (PCP) are all titles used to refer to a doctor who specializes in providing comprehensive healthcare to individuals and families. Such doctors receive training to diagnose and treat various medical conditions, from common illnesses and injuries to complex health conditions and problems.
Family physicians are the first point of contact for many patients seeking medical care. They work on building long-term relationships with their patients, providing continuity of care throughout their lives. They perform physical exams, order and interpret diagnostic tests, and prescribe medications. Generally, family physicians also provide preventive care, such as vaccinations and screenings, and can provide valuable advice to patients on making better lifestyle choices.
Family physicians are vital in addressing acute and chronic illnesses and managing patients with multiple long-term conditions. To do this, they collaborate with other healthcare providers, such as specialists, and provide end-of-life care. They also help their patients navigate the healthcare system, connecting them with the appropriate resources and services.
Family physicians have the expertise to care for people of all ages, including infants, young adults, and older people. They can treat various health problems due to other factors, including mental health challenges and substance abuse issues. They are also qualified to perform minor surgical procedures and provide prenatal and postnatal care.
What training do family physicians go through?
Family physicians undergo rigorous education and training to become licensed medical practitioners. The training process typically begins with obtaining a bachelor's degree, followed by four years of medical school. After that, family physicians must complete a three-year residency program in family medicine.
During medical school, students receive a broad-based education in basic sciences, including anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, and medical ethics. They also receive clinical training in specialties, including internal medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, and surgery.
During the family medicine residency, doctors-in-training receive intensive, hands-on experience to provide optimum patient care. They work in several settings, including hospitals, clinics, and private practices, and receive inpatient and outpatient care training. They also get trained in managing chronic conditions, such as diabetes and thyroid, and senior care.
Upon finishing their residency, family physicians can undergo further specialized training in sports medicine, geriatrics, or palliative care through fellowships in family medicine. Some family physicians also obtain certification in other areas, such as Obstetrics or Hospice and Palliative Medicine.
What are the subspecialties of family medicine?
There are a variety of subspecialties within the field of family medicine. Some of the most common subspecialties include the following:
- Adolescent medicine: This subspecialty focuses on the unique healthcare needs of teenagers and young adults. Adolescent medicine physicians provide care for issues such as mental health, reproductive health, and sports medicine.
- Geriatric medicine: This subspecialty focuses on the healthcare needs of older adults. Geriatric medicine physicians receive training to care for cognitive impairment, chronic disease management, and end-of-life care.
- Hospice and palliative medicine: Doctors trained for this subspecialty care for patients with severe and life-limiting illnesses. They emphasize symptom management, comfort, and emotional and spiritual support for patients and their families.
- Sports medicine: Doctors practicing sports medicine treat injuries related to physical activity and sports in athletes and active individuals.
- Obstetrics: This subspecialty focuses on providing care for pregnant women. Doctors help their patients before, during, and after childbirth, which is the postpartum period. These periods are also called prenatal care, delivery, and postnatal care.
- Sleep medicine: This subspecialty focuses on diagnosing and treating sleep disorders that can negatively affect a person's overall quality of life.
- Rural health: This subspecialty focuses on delivering care to patients in rural or underserved areas, where limited access to healthcare can be a challenge.
- Addiction medicine: This subspecialty focuses on the diagnosis, treatment, and management of addiction, whether substance or behavioral.
Family medicine physicians may specialize in one or more of these subspecialties. Some may also obtain additional certification in these areas, such as from the American Board of Family Medicine, to demonstrate their expertise in a specific subspecialty.
The demand for family physicians
The need for family physicians has increased in the US in recent years, driven by various factors. One major factor is the aging US population. As this happens, there is an increasing need for healthcare services, including primary care. Family physicians are well-suited to care for older adults, who often have multiple chronic conditions requiring ongoing management.
Another factor driving this demand in the country is the increasing focus on preventive and primary care to improve health. Family physicians provide preventative services, such as screenings and immunizations, and manage chronic conditions. It can help prevent the development of more severe health problems, which can ultimately reduce healthcare costs.
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) increased the demand for family physicians by expanding access to healthcare coverage, including Medicaid, which has increased the number of patients seeking primary care services.
In addition, the shortage of primary health care in some rural and inner-city areas, where the population is often underserved, also contributed to the need for more doctors belonging to this category. Family physicians can efficiently fill this gap by providing care to underserved populations.
What is the difference between family practice and general practice?
With a multitude of specialized medical fields and doctors, it's common for people to confuse them. You might be clear on which doctor to see for heart issues or joint pain, but what about when your symptoms are unexplained? Do you visit a family physician or a general physician? What is the difference between their practice?
Family physicians offer primary medical care. When you sign up with a family practice, your physician learns your medical history and your family's and works with you to keep you healthy.
A family physician near you also has training to care for various medical conditions affecting all family members. They are well-versed in pediatrics, geriatrics, obstetrics, and gynecology because they cater to the comprehensive needs of the entire family. Their services encompass:
- Asthma and allergies
- Managing chronic conditions
- Conducting physicals for school, sports, camp, employment, and insurance purposes
- Treating common issues like coughs, colds, and the flu
- Performing DOT physicals
- Addressing ailments such as tonsillitis and strep throat
- Assisting with weight management
- Conducting health-risk assessments
- Providing family planning services
- Administering immunizations
- Managing injuries
- Offering women's health services
On the other hand, general practice is like an urgent care or a general health clinic. General practitioners provide medical services to patients of all ages without specializing in one area. Your general physician treats your condition and identifies areas needing a specialist's care.
A general physician works in clinical settings like urgent care centers, hospitals, and clinics. They diagnose and treat various medical conditions. General practitioners don't specialize in specific areas. Your general practitioner also maintains your medical record. They can also handle minor sutures and wound care.
General practice clinics have labs and diagnostic equipment for medical tests to diagnose conditions better. Their primary aim is to provide treatment and prevent hospitalization.
What is the difference between a family physician and an internist?
An internist is a doctor who specializes in treating a wide range of conditions only in adults. Unlike family medicine doctors, who care for patients of all ages, internists focus solely on older adolescents and adults. They handle common medical issues such as sprains, strains, and chronic conditions like diabetes, and if a condition requires more specialized care, they may refer patients to a specialist.
Internists undergo extensive training, including four years of medical school and three years of residency. Their residency covers various specialties in adult medicine, including cardiology, endocrinology, and palliative care.
As a primary source of medical care, internists can manage almost any health issue an adult may face. Whether it's a minor problem like a sinus infection or a broken wrist or more severe conditions like diabetes, heart disease, or high cholesterol, an internist is trained to provide treatment and ongoing supervision throughout a person's adult life.
What should one expect during a visit to a family physician?
What you can expect during a family practice doctor appointment will depend on the reason for your visit. Your doctor may check your vital signs, including blood pressure, body temperature, heart rate, and breathing rate. The doctor might request routine blood tests to screen for conditions such as high cholesterol or diabetes. The physical exam may include a head and neck assessment and heart, lung, musculoskeletal, and abdominal evaluations. The family physician may also conduct immunizations and skin exams.
For women, health screenings like pap smears, osteoporosis checks, mammogram referrals, and sexual health screenings could be part of the visit. Men might undergo prostate exams, aortic aneurysm screenings, or be referred for colorectal exams. Infant and child screenings focus on evaluating growth and development. Additionally, your doctor will ask about your lifestyle habits, medications, mental well-being, and other health concerns.
How to find a qualified family physician near you in Florida?
Finding a qualified family physician in a specific locality, say Kissimmee, Florida, can be overwhelming. But with Zocdoc's help, you can connect with a healthcare expert in a much simpler process. Zocdoc is a web-based platform where patients can browse, schedule, and verify appointments with nearby healthcare professionals, such as family doctors.
On Zocdoc, patients can search for family physicians by location, insurance plan, and available appointment times. Moreover, Zocdoc provides you with a profile section on each healthcare provider. Here, you can read pertinent information, such as the doctor's educational background, experience, specialties, and verified reviews by past patients. You can view the physicians' medical expertise, affiliations, awards, languages they speak, gender, and more. It can help you decide when choosing a family physician in your vicinity.
In addition, patients can also compare the profiles of multiple doctors to find out what type of services works best for them. You can choose slots based on your and your doctor's availability and decide if you want a physical or virtual consultation.
If you need assistance finding family physicians who accept your insurance, our online patient help center is available to help. Through Zocdoc, you can link your medical, dental, and vision insurance plans to your account. However, remember that you can use only one insurance plan per appointment.
You can include secondary insurance details in the appointment notes for those with multiple insurance plans. Additionally, you can enter your secondary insurance information if your provider uses Zocdoc's Intake forms.
The best part is that booking appointments with family physicians near you on Zocdoc is simple, secure, and free!
Family medicine statistics in Florida and the US
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics published statistics for the national estimates of family medicine physicians. As of May 2021, around 102,930 family physicians are practicing in the United States. Florida is ranked third with the highest number of family psychiatrists, with over 7,160 actively providing services.
According to the Florida Department of Health, 62,209 physicians were providing direct patient care in Florida, based on the 2023–2025 survey cohort included in the 2025 Physician Workforce Annual Report. This represents substantial growth in Florida’s physician workforce over the past decade. For comparison, the department reported 43,957 direct patient care physicians in 2014, meaning the workforce has increased by approximately 41.5%. Florida’s growing and aging population continues to increase the need for an adequate and geographically distributed physician workforce.
Sources
WebMD
American Board of Medical Specialties
Project HOPE
American Academy of Family Physicians[1]
American Academy of Family Physicians[2]
American Academy of Family Physicians[3]
The Trustees of Indiana University
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Florida Department of Health
Advanced Medical Clinic
Healthline
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