Family doctor listens to patient's heart.
The terms general practitioner and family practitioner are often used interchangeably. Though general practitioners are found around the world, family practitioner is a term most commonly used to refer to American physicians. Family medicine is considered a specialty by the American Board of Medical Specialties, even though family practitioners earn less on average than other specialists. These physicians treat a variety of conditions.
Definition
The American Board of Family Medicine defines family practice as "the medical specialty which provides continuing, comprehensive health care for the individual and family." The specialty encompasses all age groups, genders, organ systems and disease realms. General practitioner is defined as a physician whose practice is not limited to one specialty. General and family practitioners essentially provide the same medical care.
History
In the United States, family medicine was officially recognized in February 1969 as the 20th primary specialty. Prior to family medicine becoming a specialty, medical students could perform a one-year internship in general medicine to become a general practitioner. After 1969 in the United States, students followed the new path to family medicine, whereas in other areas of the world, general practitioners still exist.
Significance
The transition from general practice to family practice impacted the field of medicine in the United States. By requiring students wishing to pursue family medicine to complete three years of internships (now known as residency), instead of the previous one year, the number of family practitioners drastically decreased. Physicians can spend the same amount of time in residency, but earn more, if they pick a more specialized area of medicine in which to practice.
Effects
Physician's assistants and nurse practitioners have emerged to fill the gap caused by the transition from general practitioners to family practice specialists, notes the World of Nurse Practitioners. These two professions are now common in family medicine settings. They require less school (typically four years of undergraduate, and two years at the master's level), and can treat similarly to a family or general practitioner.
Future
The demand for physicians in family practice continues to grow and evolve. Science Daily reported on a 2006 study that called for 39 percent more family practitioners due to population growth and an increase in chronic diseases. Only 12.4 percent of physicians practiced in family medicine as of 2007, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The bureau estimates that by 2018, there will be over 800,000 physician jobs in the United States, an increase of nearly 150,000 jobs or 23 percent.
Tags: family practice, family practitioners, United States, family medicine, general practitioner, general practitioners
