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Who is a family physician?

As the name suggests, family physicians, also referred to as family practice doctors or practitioners of family medicine, attend to the medical concerns of all family members, regardless of age and gender. Family practice doctors typically deal with chronic conditions, diagnose symptoms, and offer preventive care.

Having and visiting a family physician for regular check-ups helps identify ongoing health problems and protects you and your family from illnesses. Since family doctors are on the front line, helping to fulfill the medical needs of several different types of patients, they are the best choice for families looking for a medical expert to address all their healthcare needs.

Roles and responsibilities of family physicians

Since family physicians are aware of your family's medical history, many people trust their family physicians to the point of not wanting to switch doctors. These medical experts cater to the many medical needs of a family; their responsibilities include: 

• Providing holistic care to people of all age groups
• Educating patients on the management and prevention of illnesses to maintain physical and mental health
• Identifying and screening individuals for any early symptoms of emerging medical conditions or diseases
• Providing treatment and support to patients with chronic diseases
• Assessing minor health concerns and providing appropriate prescriptions
• Providing primary care and coordinating with other medical specialists as and when required

General practitioners vs. family practitioners

There is some overlap in the roles and responsibilities of general practitioners and family physicians, which can confuse them. While it is evident that you would visit a cardiologist for heart issues or an ENT specialist for ear, nose, and throat conditions, it is typically unclear when it is ideal to see a family practitioner or general practitioner.

While general and family practitioners are primary care physicians, family practitioners are typically required to be well-informed about your medical history and that of your family. Family medicine is a specialty field in which doctors receive specialized training in diagnosing and treating various medical conditions that affect all family members. In contrast, general practitioners do not specialize in any particular field of medicine and typically have access to your clinical records only. 

Preliminary education of family physicians

Since family medicine physicians attend to the concerns of patients of all ages and treat various ailments, they must have extensive medical knowledge, compassion, and attention to detail.

To become a family doctor, one must have a bachelor's degree, after which one can apply to medical school. While students are not required to major in a particular field in the undergraduate program, they must study biology, physics, chemistry, maths, etc. Since admission to medical schools is highly competitive, gaining some work experience under the supervision of a doctor or in a medical facility helps. Students with volunteer experience or participation in medicine-related extracurricular activities have the edge over others.

Students looking to pursue medicine must take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). The test assesses one's critical thinking, problem-solving, and written communication skills. After passing and getting admitted to an accredited medical school, one must complete the four-year program to become a Doctor of Medicine (MD.) In the first two years, one learns via classroom and laboratory training in anatomy, pathology, ethics, pharmacology, biochemistry, etc. The students also learn how to diagnose medical conditions and examine patients. During the last two years, students have interned at hospitals and clinics under the supervision of licensed doctors. 

Advanced training of family physicians

After completing their medical degree, aspiring family physicians must continue their training in a residency program. This training focuses on various ailments and procedures typically encountered by family doctors. One must complete critical care, cardiology, pediatrics, sports medicine, and dermatology clinical rotations. 

Medical license required by family physicians

Doctors in all US states must be licensed to practice family medicine. The American Board of Family Medicine or the American Osteopathic Board of Family Physicians provides these licenses. Family Medicine Certification (FMC) helps ensure that practitioners are highly skilled and effective at maintaining and improving an individual's health while maintaining high professional standards.

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: A physician who chooses this subspecialty receives training in dealing with sports and exercise injuries. They also learn to deal with ailments and diseases that might impact a sportsperson's 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.
• Pain medicine: A physician gains the necessary training and experience to help people with chronic, acute, and cancer-related pain. These specialists work in hospital settings and outpatient facilities. 
• Sleep medicine: In sleep medicine, the physician gains expertise in diagnosing and managing issues that disturb sleep and other problems that occur while asleep. 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.
• 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.

What should you consider when choosing a family physician?

When looking for a family doctor, read their reviews to learn what others say about them. Patient satisfaction questionnaires, which include information on scheduling, availability, conduct, and other factors, can also be helpful. Additionally, depending on where a family doctor practices, you may have access to other health services that can help you, especially if you have special health needs. You can go to a pediatric facility if you have young ones. If you are 65 or older, consider exploring a dedicated senior medical center providing additional in-house services.

What to expect at your first appointment?

During your first appointment with the best family doctor near you, they will likely 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.

Questions to ask a family physician

There are various options for finding the perfect family physician near you. Contact your friends and family. They may have a recommendation. Check your insurance for a list of doctors in your network. Alternatively, visit Zocdoc to find the best family physicians near you. 

You can also pose these questions to the selected family doctors before deciding.

• Are they accepting new patients?
• Will they accept your insurance?
• What are their working hours?
• Do they allow after-hours walk-in visits?
• Do they have on-call hours?
• What is the typical wait time to see the doctor?
• Do they do lab and imaging tests at the office? If not, do they send patients to a provider in your insurance network?
• Can they give care if you are admitted to another hospital or an extended care facility?
• Do they specialize further in any of the fields of family medicine?

Six tips on dealing with appointment anxiety

Do you feel extremely nervous before your doctor's visit? Do you often delay care or skip scheduled visits due to your fears? You can follow helpful strategies to manage your appointment anxiety and receive timely care. 

• Be strategic about the appointment date and time: To control your stress levels, consider meeting your doctor on a relatively less busy day. Secondly, be mindful of when your anxiety is at its worst. If you tend to be more anxious after waking up, skip morning appointments and opt for afternoon or evening appointments instead. 
• Ask a loved one to join you: Your support system during the appointment can help calm your nerves. So, request a family member or friend to accompany you. In addition to making you comfortable, they can take important doctor's notes for later reference. 
• Practice relaxation techniques: While in the waiting or exam room, do deep breathing exercises or meditate to feel at complete ease. You can also make relaxation techniques a part of your daily routine, as they can significantly impact your mental health. 
• Carry distractions: You can distract yourself from intrusive thoughts by reading a book, listening to music, or watching a movie. So, make sure you take something with you to keep yourself engaged while you wait for your turn. 
• Notify your healthcare team: If you inform the family physician and their staff about what you go through before every appointment, they can be more accommodating during your visit. 
• Prepare for the appointment: You can lessen your anxiety by preparing well. Gather all necessary documents, carry your medical history, know your family history, write down your symptoms, and record your questions. It is a good idea to call the doctor's office and confirm what you can expect during the appointment. This way, you can avoid surprises that may heighten your stress levels. 

Finding family physician near you in Washington, District of Columbia

If you are looking for the best family physicians in Washington, District of Columbia, visit Zocdoc's website and choose from a list of highly-rated family doctors. Zocdoc is the most reliable and easy-to-use platform that assists you with finding the right practitioner for your needs. You can search for the specialist, the condition you want to address, or the exact procedure you want to go under, and Zocdoc will provide you with a list of all doctors who can fulfill your requirements. 

To save money on medical bills, try looking for in-network providers on Zocdoc. What should you do if you do not find your health insurance on Zocdoc? In that case, try uploading a photo of your card. We will scan the image and display the most likely plan. If you are experiencing problems uploading a picture of your card, please contact our service team. For any insurance-related queries, connect with Zocdoc's patient help center.

You can also use advanced search filter options such as location, date, time of appointment, gender, distance from your area, availability of doctors, the doctor's hospital affiliation, etc. You can even choose your current medical insurance from the drop-down menu on the website, and you will find the list of the best family doctors near you who accept your insurance. You can also select an in-person visit or an online appointment facilitated via video call. 

When looking for a family physician near you for the first time, you might be interested in their expertise, how many years they have trained, their qualifications, licenses, affiliation, and accomplishments in their field. Zocdoc provides all this information in the doctor's bio and reliable patient reviews about these practitioners.

Moreover, all bookings on Zocdoc are simple, secure, and free! These factors ensure you find the right doctor based on all your requirements.

Family physician statistics in Washington, District of Columbia

According to research by the Kaiser Family Foundation, in January 2024, there were about 523,042 primary care doctors in the US. Out of those, 153,309 were family medicine or general practitioners. In Washington, the total number of primary care providers was about 11,717. Out of those, 4,904 are family medicine practitioners or general medicine practitioners. 

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, family physicians' top three paying industries are insurance carriers, community food and housing, emergency and other relief services, and local government, excluding schools and hospitals (OEWS designation).

Sources

Family Care Network

Michigan Academy of Family Physicians

Wellington Advanced Med

Elevated Health

US Bureau of Labor Statistics

Kaiser Family Foundation

Best Accredited Colleges

Intercoastal Medical Group

American Board of Medical Specialties

familydoctor.org

Palm Medical Center

Medical News Today

Healthline

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.