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Family Medicine Physicians

Diagnose, treat, and provide preventive care to individuals and families across the lifespan. May refer patients to specialists when needed for further diagnosis or treatment.

What you’d do

  • Prescribe or administer treatment, therapy, medication, vaccination, and other specialized medical care to treat or prevent illness, disease, or injury.
  • Order, perform, and interpret tests and analyze records, reports, and examination information to diagnose patients' condition.
  • Collect, record, and maintain patient information, such as medical history, reports, or examination results.
  • Monitor patients' conditions and progress and reevaluate treatments as necessary.
  • Explain procedures and discuss test results or prescribed treatments with patients.
  • Advise patients and community members concerning diet, activity, hygiene, and disease prevention.
  • Direct and coordinate activities of nurses, students, assistants, specialists, therapists, and other medical staff.
  • Refer patients to medical specialists or other practitioners when necessary.

Skills that matter

  • Critical Thinking
  • Active Listening
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Speaking
  • Writing
  • Active Learning

How to get there

Extensive preparation: most need graduate school, such as a master's degree or higher

Also called

  • Family Physician
  • Family Practice Physician (FP Physician)
  • Medical Doctor (MD)
  • Physician
  • Board Certified Family Physician
  • Family Medicine Physician

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