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Who is a family physician?

Family medicine is not limited to people of certain ages or illnesses. A medical doctor specializing in family medicine is known as a family physician. They are qualified to evaluate symptoms, treat most ailments, and provide referrals to specialists if required. Family physicians can provide comprehensive healthcare to everyone—from newborns to seniors. A family physician has the flexibility to fit in with different practice environments. They can perform ultrasonography, vasectomy, tubal ligation, and pulmonary function testing, to name a few.

A family doctor may work in a private office or hospital setting. They often collaborate with other family practice doctors and can be found in community clinics. They also do health risk assessments, routine checkups, screening tests, and treatment of common chronic illnesses. Checking vitals, prescribing regular blood tests, pap smears, prostate exams, and evaluating the growth of infants and children are more things a family physician does.

Besides completing four years in medical school, a family physician must pass exams such as the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination or the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE). They can then complete a three to four-year residency with rotations in obstetrics, pediatrics, emergency medicine, inpatient hospital care, and general surgery. The American Osteopathic Board of Family Physicians (AOBFP) or the American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM) certifies family physicians.

Subspecialties of family medicine

Some family physicians obtain certification in one of the subspecialties of family medicine. 

The following are some subspecialties that require additional training and board evaluation:

• Geriatric medicine: As the term implies, the physician pursues in-depth learning about aging and acquires special skills. These specialized skills help them diagnose illnesses in seniors, recommend appropriate therapies, suggest preventive measures, and facilitate rehabilitation.
• Sports medicine: Physicians who choose this subspecialty receive training in treating sports and exercise injuries. They also learn to treat ailments and diseases that might impact sportspersons' health and physical performance.
• Adolescent medicine: This subspecialty relates to the unique healthcare needs of adolescents. It encompasses the psychological, physical, and social aspects of their well-being.
• Palliative and hospice medicine: In this subspecialty, physicians learn to relieve and prevent suffering from patients with life-limiting illnesses. They receive training to help optimize the patient's quality of life. Physicians who specialize in this field learn to address not just the patient's physical needs but also their psychological and spiritual requirements.
• Sleep medicine: In sleep medicine, the physician gains expertise in diagnosing and managing issues that disturb sleep and problems occurring during sleep. They familiarize themselves with all research on the subject and understand the nuances of managing a sleep laboratory. Family physicians specializing in sleep medicine must hone their skills in analyzing and interpreting polysomnography.
• Pain medicine: A physician gains the necessary training and experience to help people with chronic or acute pain and cancer-related pain. These specialists work in hospital settings and outpatient facilities.

Common reasons to see a family physician

A family physician is often the first healthcare professional you see in the event of any symptoms or issues. They can provide preventive and wellness care besides helping you manage chronic ailments, including diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure. Your practitioner can also ensure that the different medications you take do not have any contraindications.

You should see a family physician near you if you experience respiratory infection symptoms such as the flu, asthma, bronchitis, or a cold. A family physician can also provide care for skin infections, dermatological issues, and different types of pain, including body and orthopedic problems.

A family practitioner can administer immunizations and flu shots and conduct annual checkups for prostate cancer, Pap smear, and sexual health screenings. Other examples include colorectal exam referrals, osteoporosis screening, and aortic aneurysm screenings. If necessary, they will send you to a specialist for procedures such as mammograms.

Why is it important to have a family physician?

You and your family need to have a doctor whom you can consult for acute and chronic conditions that do not require immediate medical attention or invite an emergency response. Family physicians serve as primary care doctors and can address many health concerns and other medical needs. Here's why family physicians are important in the healthcare system:

• Comprehensive care: Family doctors are qualified to provide comprehensive care for toddlers, teens, adults, and seniors. Compared to medical specialists such as cardiologists, who primarily focus on diseases related to the heart, and oncologists, who only focus on cancer treatment, family doctors possess knowledge of a wide range of illnesses and injuries. They are trained to manage as well as prevent them. Whether you need an annual checkup, have a minor cold, or have issues like diabetes and hypertension, family doctors consider your entire medical and family history while making a diagnosis, not only a collection of symptoms. They look at the bigger picture and consider social determinants of health. These include lifestyle, work, socioeconomic status, age, stress, and home environment to find the root cause of your health concern and offer long-term solutions.

• Long-term and trusted partnerships: Family physicians are usually a patient's first point of contact in the healthcare system. They get to know a patient and their family in detail, which allows them to offer personalized care. They also communicate effectively with patients and their medical specialists throughout their lives. Through continuity of care, patients build long-term and trusted partnerships with their family doctors. It allows family physicians to spot problems and other changes in health sooner.

• Coordinated care: Through routine checkups, your family physician may be able to detect certain chronic conditions in their earlier stages, which may then require a medical specialist's attention. A family doctor can recommend a good specialist, coordinate your entire treatment with them, and ensure all your doctors are on the same page.

• Timely preventive and cost-effective care: Seeing a family physician can help you save on future medical costs since they provide preventative care and can catch health issues in their early stages, which are often easier to treat and not extremely expensive. As a part of your preventive care plan and during routine checkups, family physicians can keep track of your and your whole family's vaccines and immunizations.

• Accessible mental healthcare: Family medicine integrates behavioral and physical aspects of illness and is important in providing mental healthcare services. An established and trusted relationship between a patient and their family physician helps them recognize the onset of mental illness in their patients and better understand any relevant social, emotional, and environmental factors, as well as comorbidities and other considerations that can contribute to overall mental health.

What to expect at your first appointment?

During your first appointment with a family doctor, they will ask you about your medical history, family history, symptoms, and medications you are taking. If you have any test results, such as X-rays or scan reports, bring them along. They might conduct a physical exam to check your weight, blood pressure, and pulse. The doctor might check your skin, perform a head and neck exam, and examine your abdomen for anything unusual.

Make a list of your concerns and queries beforehand to discuss with your doctor. They can suggest ways to modify your lifestyle, such as diet changes or adding physical activity to your daily routine. Your family physician may also ask about your mental well-being to gauge your health. Depending on your symptoms and concerns, the practitioner might suggest further testing.

Role of family physicians in Covid-19

The Covid-19 pandemic brought family physicians to the front and center of the crisis. The emphasis on teleconsultation, virtual appointments, and home isolation threw the spotlight on family physicians like never before. People usually approach their family physician at the first sign of illness, and the pandemic was no different. Family physicians had to work overtime during this period, given the number of calls from worried patients they had to handle daily.

They were involved in identifying, triaging, and isolating suspected COVID-19 patients. Family physicians have managed patients with mild and uncomplicated COVID-19 with timely, practical, and supportive guidance. They have also counseled patients about vaccines and directed them to vaccination centers in the past year.

How do you ensure the health of your family?

Family is important, and everybody wants to keep their family safe and healthy. But sometimes, we don't know how to achieve that. So, here are some tips to help you get started:

• Stay active: Physical movement throughout the day is essential for adults and children. It improves physical and mental health, keeping stress and anxiety at bay. It is recommended that children should be active for at least one hour every day. Going outside for a walk, running, or playing sports is the best option. Apart from keeping you fit, it also enhances family bonding. Besides, on days when you can not go out, there are various activities you can do together at home, like a virtual fitness class or a fun family dance competition.
• Encourage everyone to have a well-balanced diet: Eating healthy can solve and prevent most health issues. Try to keep up with three balanced meals each day. Ensure you pick fresh fruits and vegetables instead of unhealthy snacks every time you visit the grocery store. Also, who said eating healthy is always dull? Get creative and whip up tasty, affordable family meals with these easy step-by-step recipes. Moreover, drinking enough water and avoiding too much caffeine is also important.
• Follow a strict bedtime routine: Getting enough quality sleep is vital for every individual. Without proper rest, the body will not have enough energy for the next day, causing a hindrance in productivity. Hence, a regular bedtime routine is paramount for good sleep. If you or your kids have a poor sleep routine,  returning to the normal cycle might take some time. However, going to bed early for a few days will make it easier. Additionally, bedtime is a great time to connect with your kids emotionally.
• Talk about your feelings: Talking about feelings with the family should never feel like a task; it should be natural. Encouraging your child to talk about their feelings and acknowledging them will establish trust and understanding.
• Limit screen time as much as possible: Most screen time nowadays comes from social media usage. It is a great way to connect with friends, family, and the world, but it can be harmful if not used responsibly. For example, excessive social media use can increase stress and anxiety. Meanwhile, the blue light from the devices can cause vision issues. Thus, taking breaks yourself and setting limits for your children is crucial.
• Practice preventative medicine: The best form of preventative medicine is good hygiene. It is the best way to reduce the spread of germs and prevent illness. Follow practices like regular hand washing, coughing or sneezing into the sleeve, disinfecting frequently touched surfaces at home, and staying current with regular screenings and immunizations with your family physician.

Find the best family physician near you in Pittsburgh

Having a family physician is in your best interests because they have the skills to be your primary care practitioner. Relationships with a family physician are long-term and usually last a lifetime. A family physician will be familiar with your health and medical history. This familiarity means they can instantly zero in on any abnormality and help you get the care or treatment you need. If you are seeking an experienced family doctor, don't worry. We at Zocdoc can help you find one who meets all your requirements.

Go to the Zocdoc platform and sign up for a free account. You can enter the criteria you want, such as location, symptoms, condition, gender, languages spoken, hospital affiliations, and experience. The filters let you find the best in-network family physician near you. On Zocdoc, you will get a comprehensive list of family physicians matching your requirements. Click on the profile of each family physician on the list to check out their qualifications, accreditations, licenses, and past patient reviews and ratings.

It is important to remember that although adding your insurance information to your Zocdoc account simplifies finding in-network providers, many offices require you to bring your insurance card to your appointment. For any insurance-related queries, visit Zocdoc's patient help center.

Check out the verified patient reviews and ratings to understand your prospective family physician. After you have vetted the shortlisted practitioners, you can schedule an in-person or virtual appointment. Many doctors in our database also offer virtual appointments and after-hour consultations. Choose a time slot according to the doctor's availability and convenience, and you are all set!

All bookings made on Zocdoc are safe, free, and secure!

Statistics on family physicians in Pittsburgh and Pennsylvania

According to the May 2023 Occupational Employment and Wages report issued by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment estimate for family medicine physicians in the U.S. was 112,010. The report showed that about 75,020 were employed at physicians' offices. Outpatient care centers were the second most preferred choice of employment, with around 7,310 employed there.

The same report stated that Pennsylvania ranked third in the United States, with 8,110 family medicine physicians actively practicing.

Sources

WebMD

Indiana University School of Medicine

American Board of Medical Specialties

ResearchGate

World Health Organization

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Texas Medical Institute

Intercoastal Medical Group

Genesis Medical Associates 

Cleveland Clinic

American Academy of Family Physicians[1]

American Academy of Family Physicians[2]

Logansport Memorial Hospital

MedStar Health

National Health Service

The content herein is provided for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Medical information changes constantly, and therefore the content on this website should not be assumed to be current, complete or exhaustive. Always seek the advice of your doctor before starting or changing treatment. If you think you may have a medical emergency, please call your doctor or 9-1-1 immediately.