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FAMILYPRACTICEJOBS.COM
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Jobs and Information for Family Medicine
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Role in Healthcare Delivery
A general practitioner, or GP is a medical practitioner who provides primary care and specializes in family medicine. A general practitioner treats acute
and chronic illnesses and provides preventive care and health education for all ages and both sexes. They have particular skills in treating people with
multiple health issues and comorbidities. The term general practitioner is common in Ireland, the United Kingdom, some other Commonwealth countries, and
Bulgaria. In the English-speaking countries the word medical practitioner is largely reserved for certain other types of medical specialists, notably in
internal medicine.
Family medicine differs from the traditional European general practitioner. In the U.S. family practitioners usually complete an undergraduate degree
and then complete either the Doctor of Medicine degree (M.D.) or a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree (D.O.). Physician who specialize in family medicine
(also known as a family physician), however, must complete a three-year family medicine residency in addition to their medical degree, and are eligible
for the board certification now required by most hospitals and health plans.
The term "family medicine" is used in many European countries instead of "general medicine" or "general practice". In Sweden, certification in family
medicine needs five years working with tutor, after the medical degree. Similar systems have been implemented in other countries.
Most family physicians practice in solo or small-group private practices or as hospital employees in practices of similar sizes owned by hospitals.
Still, many choose to teach medicine at medical schools or family medicine residency programs, though usually for much less pay. Others choose to practice
as consultants to various medical institutions, including insurance companies.
Definition provided by
Wikipedia
FAMILY MEDICINE IN THE USA
Starting in the 1970s, many family physicians in the United States began to consider the terms "general practitioner" and "GP" as somewhat demeaning
and derogatory, discounting their additional years of training. It was not until 1969 that family medicine (formerly known as family practice) was recognized
as a distinct specialty in the U.S.
A family physician is board-certified in family medicine. Training is focused on treating an individual throughout all of his or her life stages. Family
physicians will see anyone with any problem, but are experts in common problems. Many family physicians deliver babies in addition to taking care of
patients of all ages. Family physicians complete undergraduate school, medical school, and three more years of specialized medical residency training
in family medicine. In order to remain board certified, family physicians take a written examination every six, seven, nine or 10 years, depending on
what track they choose regarding the maintenance of their certification. Three hundred hours of continuing medical education within the prior six years
is also required to be eligible to sit for the exam.
Between 2003 and 2009 the board certification process is being changed in family medicine and all other American Specialty Boards to a series of yearly
tests on differing areas within the given specialty. The American Board of Family Medicine, as well as other specialty boards, are requiring additional
participation in continuous learning and self-assessment to enhance clinical knowledge, expertise and skills. The Board has created a program called
the "Maintenance of Certification Program for Family Physicians" (MC-FP) which will require family physicians to continuously demonstrate proficiency
in four areas of clinical practice: professionalism, self assessment/lifelong learning, cognitive expertise, and performance in practice.
Definition provided by
Wikipedia
PHYSICIAN ASSISTANTS WITHIN FAMILY MEDICINE
PAs are advanced practice clinicians, and obtain medical histories, perform examinations and procedures, order treatments, diagnose illnesses, prescribe
medication, order and interpret diagnostic tests, refer patients to specialists when appropriate and first-assist in surgery. They are employed in primary
care or in specialties in urban or rural regions, as well as in academic administration. PAs may practice in any medical or surgical specialty, and have
the ability to move to different medical and surgical fields during their careers.
In the 2007 AAPA census, just over 56 percent of responding PAs worked in physicians' offices or clinics; 23 percent were employed by hospitals; and
the remainder were employed in public health clinics, nursing homes, schools, prisons, home health care agencies, and the United States Department of
Veterans Affairs. Approximately 9 percent of responding PAs provide health care to rural communities and those with fewer than 20,000 residents, in which
physicians may be in limited supply.
Definition provided by
Wikipedia
NURSE PRACTITIONERS WITHIN FAMILY MEDICINE
A Nurse Practitioner (NP) is a registered nurse who has completed specific advanced nursing education (generally a master's degree) and training in
the diagnosis and management of common as well as complex medical conditions. Nurse Practitioners provide a broad range of health care services.
Nurse Practitioners treat both acute and chronic conditions through comprehensive history taking, physical exams, physical therapy, ordering tests and
therapies for patients, within their scope of practice. An NP can serve as a patient's "point of entry" health care provider, and see patients of all
ages depending on their designated scope of practice. The core philosophy of the field is individualized care. Nurse Practitioners focus on patients'
conditions as well as the effects of illness on the lives of the patients and their families.
Definition provided by
Wikipedia
