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Is family medicine in your blood? You’re about to find out.
When it comes to matching—and becoming a doctor in general—the most important decision you’ll have to make is what your specialty will be. But no sweat! In our Medical Specialty Series, we’ll highlight the most popular specialties to help you get started as you research residency programs.
So what exactly is family medicine?
Family medicine (FM) is one of the broadest medical specialties, from the training they receive to the types of patients they treat.
Family physicians receive a broad range of training, including internal medicine, pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, psychiatry, and geriatrics. Unlike pediatricians and other physicians, FM physicians provide care for all ages, sexes, organ systems, and disease entities.
Family physicians also employ a unique set of skills, emphasizing the patient-physician relationship in the context of family. This allows them to provide continuing and comprehensive health care throughout a patient’s lifetime.
Residency and post-residency training
Family medicine training programs in residency consists of 3 years with required rotations in the major medical disciplines.
Beyond residency, residents can seek advanced training in subspecialties through a fellowship, generally lasting an additional 12 months after training.
In addition, 3 types of dual degrees (FM-Emergency Medicine, FM-Internal Medicine, and FM-Psychiatry) are available requiring an extended training of up to a total of 5 years.
Are there jobs in family medicine?
Demand for family physicians are high. According to recruitment data from 2008-2012 conducted by Merritt, Hawkins & Associates, family medicine physicians are the most recruited physicians for hospitals, medical groups, and healthcare organizations for the period.^
Don’t take our word for it
To help you get a better feel for the profession from the words of someone in the field, here is a testimonial from physician Dr. Ryan M. Harden—practicing physician at Gateway Clinic in Sandstone, Minnesota.
“I was attracted to the specialty of family medicine by the variety. As a family physician, I manage acute and chronic conditions in the hospital and clinic, taking care of people in all stages of life from pediatrics to geriatrics. From heart, endocrine, and lung conditions to joint and gastrointestinal disease, my position requires knowledge of all organ systems and disciplines. I also perform a number of procedures including joint injections, minor surgery, and cardiac stress testing, which makes every day challenging and rewarding. Providing comprehensive, continuous care to families in my community, with a focus on prevention, makes for a satisfying career I truly enjoy.”
No matter what specialty you choose, working towards a knockout score on the USMLE will help get you there.
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