What is family medicine?
With primary care as its focal point, family medicine (F.M.) acts as a patient's initial point of contact for health issues. It serves as a distinct and independent clinical medical specialty. Most specialties treat a specific organ or disease. In contrast, family medicine treats most illnesses, offering complete healthcare to patients of all ages, from infants to the elderly.
People also refer to family medicine as primary care. It entails guiding patients through the healthcare system, including follow-up and coordinating specialist and hospital care. Additionally, it considers how a patient's health may affect their family and uses data and technology to integrate services and improve care.
Who is a family physician?
A family physician is a doctor of medicine (M.D.) who provides general, accessible, and continual healthcare to people of all ages, genders, and conditions. They help manage overall health and serve as primary care physicians, i.e., the first point of contact for health concerns.
Family medicine specialists can treat acute illnesses that last a few weeks. They can also attend to chronic conditions that develop over time. Some common issues that family physicians can diagnose and treat include:
- Hypertension
- Heart diseases
- Diabetes
- Kidney diseases
- Arthritis
- Stomach diseases
- Skin issues
- Common cold or flu
- Asthma
- Breathing problems
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Family physicians can also order tests and perform routine health checkups like physical exams, newborn and well-child exams, female pelvic exams, immunizations, and prostate exams. They also perform minor procedures such as colonoscopy, endoscopy, suturing lacerations, and vasectomies.
These doctors also collaborate with other healthcare specialists in various settings, such as multispecialty practices, solo clinics, public hospitals, or emergency departments. Some family physicians may also work in a combination of these settings.
Family physicians: Education and training
Family physicians undergo extensive training before they begin practicing. They must complete four years of undergraduate studies and four years of medical school, followed by a residency program. During residency, they must undergo clinical rotations in obstetrics, pediatrics, general surgery, emergency medicine, and critical care.
Subsequently, some family physicians seek advanced training and acquire fellowships in specialized fields like geriatrics, addictive, and preventive medicine.
Family physicians are certified by the American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM) and the American Osteopathic Board of Family Physicians (AOBFP). They also require a license to practice in the state where they want to work.
Subspecialties of family medicine
While family physicians can help people of all ages experiencing a variety of conditions, some people may require more focused treatment. Therefore, family physicians generally choose to specialize in one or more areas after completing their residency training. Standard family medicine subspecialties include:
- Adolescent medicine: This specialty is focused on treating physical, psychological, and social issues in adolescents. They can address concerns related to reproductive health, addictions, eating disorders, skin issues like acne, and frequent mood changes. Adolescent medicine specialists conduct routine exams and observe changes in a child's behavioral and physical health over time.
- Hospice and palliative care: This branch focuses on providing care for patients suffering from life-limiting illnesses such as cancer, dementia, Alzheimer's, and Parkinson's. Palliative care aims at improving the physical and mental well-being of older people who require assistance in their daily routines. Hospice care also includes end-of-life care for people with terminal illnesses.
- Sleep medicine: This includes diagnosing and treating conditions that affect a person's sleep. Some common concerns are sleep disorders, sleep deprivation, and disturbances during a wake-sleep cycle. These are evaluated by interpreting comprehensive polysomnography (a test that records brain waves, heart rate, and eye and leg movements during sleep).
- Sports medicine: This subspecialty includes treating and preventing sports-related injuries. Sports medicine specialists also deal with illnesses that affect physical performance. They work with professional athletes, adults, and children with an active physical lifestyle. They also treat people with physically demanding jobs like construction workers.
What is the difference between a primary care physician, a family doctor, and an internist?
With different types of medical practitioners, it may take time to decide which one to see. When you are sick, with a cold or something more serious, your first point of contact would be a primary care physician (PCP). A PCP refers to any of the following types of doctors:
- family medicine practitioner
- nurse practitioner
- physician assistant
- internist
- pediatrician
- Geriatrician
A PCP is trained to treat people of all ages for various medical concerns, including prevention and maintenance. However, they will refer you to a specialist if your condition is beyond their scope. A PCP may also coordinate with other specialists to treat chronic health conditions.
Since family physicians can care for every family member at all stages of life and can treat problems ranging from bronchitis to high blood pressure, they can keep a check on risk factors for genetic health problems like obesity and heart disease. They will also refer you to a specialist if your condition is beyond their scope. A doctor being aware of your personal and family medical history can be exceptionally comforting for many people.
Unlike a family physician who treats people of all ages, an internist only treats older adolescents and adults. An internist treats various medical issues like a family doctor and would refer you to a specialist for complicated conditions. Internists must also complete four years of medical school and three years of residency, including specialties in adult medicine like cardiology and endocrinology. Internists treat conditions developed throughout adult life. They treat minor issues like sinus or broken wrists and can also treat and supervise more severe conditions like heart disease and diabetes.
How to choose a family physician for you and your family
A primary healthcare provider, like a family physician, is often a person's first point of contact in the healthcare system. Having a family doctor who provides continuity of care across all stages of your life is crucial. They not only help patients get timely preventive and maintain overall health but also help patients save on future medical costs.
Here are some tips to help you select a primary care provider or family physician:
- Credentials are important when searching for a provider. A family physician who is board-certified by the American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM) adheres to the highest standards of care and is aware of the latest advancements in family medicine. They must also complete at least 150 hours of continuing medical education every three years.
- Choose a family physician who accepts your insurance plan. An in-network primary care doctor will help keep your medical costs down. If you do not have insurance and are paying out-of-pocket, you should speak to your doctor's office about costs before setting up an appointment to avoid any surprise charges. It is also important to note that several health insurance providers limit your choice to a list of doctors and require you to select a doctor from their list. Ensure you contact your insurance provider for such information.
- Location is another critical factor in choosing your primary care doctor. Check if the doctor's office is located near your home, office, or school. If your area lacks primary care offices, you may also want to check for other facilities such as community health clinics, hospital emergency rooms, and public clinics instead of primary care physician offices.
- Some doctors practice independently, while others are a part of a group practice. It's important to know if you have access to other healthcare practitioners, such as nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and other medical specialists, for current or future needs. Additionally, you can ask the doctor's office if they have convenient options like telemedicine, i.e., if an online patient hub is available, where you can schedule doctor appointments, ask for prescription refills, complete all required forms, and communicate with the doctor's office.
- You may also want to know whether minor procedures or tests, such as X-rays, will be performed in the doctor's clinic or in a lab facility elsewhere.
- It is essential to 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 must also check if they accommodate your special health needs. A person's age, gender, life experiences, disability status, trauma, abuse, mental state, and specific medical conditions present unique health challenges that any provider must be well-informed about and prepared to accommodate while developing treatment plans. If you happen to be a part of the LGBTQIA+ community or are transgender, you must look for a physician 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. Such interventions include counseling about coming out to peers and family members, assistance with changing outward appearance and gender presentation, medications, hormone therapy, and surgery.
What should you expect at an appointment with a family physician?
If you have already chosen the best family physician near you and booked an appointment, it's time to learn what you can expect from your initial consultation. Knowing what to expect and being prepared for a doctor's appointment can help you make the most of your appointment and save on future medical costs.
During an initial consultation with your family physician, you can expect them to record your basic health information. This may include your medical history and family history. They may also record your weight, height, vital signs, and blood pressure. This information will help your physician diagnose your condition more accurately. They will ask you about your recurrent symptoms and how long you've been experiencing them. You should also tell your family doctor about all the medications you have been taking (including over-the-counter medicines and supplements) and if you have had any tests or surgeries performed in the past.
After understanding your symptoms, your family physician may perform a physical examination or recommend diagnostic tests such as X-rays, MRIs, and blood and urine tests. A physical assessment will depend on your symptoms and will entail the following:
- Checking breathing for wheezing or shortness of breath
- Conducting an abdominal exam
- Performing women's health screenings for gynecologic conditions, pap smears, osteoporosis screenings, mammogram referrals, and sexually transmitted infection (STI) screenings
- Undertaking men's health screenings, including prostate exams or colorectal exam referrals
- Spearheading infant and child screenings to check the progress of their development and record major milestones
- Examining the eyes, skin, ears, nose, throat, and nails
- Checking the heartbeat for abnormalities, a heart murmur, or any other unusual sounds
If your family physician conducts a wellness exam, they may recommend routine blood tests such as blood sugar, lipid panels, and bone density tests. After testing and analyzing the results, they may recommend various treatment options, including medications, diet, and lifestyle changes. If you need surgery, you may be referred to other specialists.
Find a family physician near you in San Jose, California
Family medicine physicians are experts in providing comprehensive care. They have an in-depth knowledge of various illnesses, allowing them to order tests and offer preventive care services. Choosing a family physician as a primary care provider helps manage varied health concerns throughout a lifetime. Further, a family physician can refer you to specialists for specialized treatment.
Finding an experienced family doctor may be challenging. However, with the help of Zocdoc, users can easily find the best healthcare providers from the comfort of their homes without the hassle of visiting a hospital or clinical facility.
Here are a few easy-to-follow steps:
- To book an in-person or video consultation with a family physician, visit the Zocdoc website and enter your condition or symptoms, the date you'd like to schedule an appointment, the location, and the insurance carrier.
- Click on "find" to view a list of top-rated family physicians. You can filter this list according to gender, time of day, hospital affiliation, language, distance, and whether or not they treat children.
- If you want a provider that accepts only your insurance, enter your insurance carrier and plan in the drop-down menu at the top of the page. This selection automatically filters your search results to display in-network providers. If you are unable to find your particular health insurance plan listed on Zocdoc, try uploading your insurance card. Zocdoc will then scan the image of your card and show you a plan that matches it best. Note that you can only upload a photo of your medical insurance card. Vision and dental are excluded. If you are having trouble uploading your medical insurance card or need answers to other queries, contact Zocdoc's service team via chat, phone call, or email. For more information on insurance and related topics, make sure you check out Zocdoc's patient help center.
- To help you make an informed decision, Zocdoc provides each specialist's educational background, medical training, clinical experience, certifications, licensures, awards, and accreditations.
You can also make an appointment with a family physician near you on the same day, 24 hours in advance, after 5 PM, and even on the weekends, depending on the chosen provider's availability. Moreover, you can also read through honest and verified patient reviews to solidify your choice.
All bookings on Zocdoc are fast, free, and secure!
Family physician statistics in California
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), California employs around 14,230 family medicine physicians (as of May 2021), the highest in the United States, followed by Pennsylvania, Florida, and Texas. The metropolitan area of Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA, also has one of the most significant employment levels for family physicians (nearly 3,080).
In 2018, California had approximately 28,644 primary care physicians in direct patient care, of which around 10,363 were family physicians. Nearly 36% of California's primary care workforce consisted of family physicians, compared to about 40% in the Pacific Census Division and 38% nationwide.
An estimated 47% of California's family medicine workforce comprised females, more than the nationwide percentage of 45%. Younger family physicians were more likely to be female than their older counterparts, consistent with national trends. Roughly 43% of family physicians were over 55, less than the nationwide percentage of 44%.
A report published by the California Health Care Foundation (CHCF) in March 2021 stated that primary care specialties comprised California's top three medical specialties. These included pediatrics, family medicine, and internal medicine, accounting for approximately 29% of all active patient care physicians in the state. Besides these, other popular specialties included in the top ten were anesthesiology, psychiatry, emergency medicine, and obstetrics/gynecology.
Sources
WebMD[1]
American Academy of Family Physicians[1]
American Academy of Family Physicians[2]
Kids Health
National Institute on Aging
Indiana University School of Medicine
American Board of Medical Specialties
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
American Academy of Family Physicians[3]
California Health Care
Foundation
Dignity Health
Intercoastal Medical Group
National Center for Biotechnology Information
Cleveland Clinic
Healthline[1]
familydoctor.org
WebMD[2]
Healthline[2]
Association of American Medical Colleges
Medical Board of California
