The eMatchPhysicians Blog

Being a Family Practice Physician

Posted on: Monday, December 1, 2008

One of the best parts of working as a family practice physician is that you work in a small practice with greater flexibility and a more personal touch.  Those who prefer a more hands-on approach as a doctor do very well in family practice.  While your eventual goal may be to open your own family practice, until you do there are lots of jobs in small clinics across the country.  In fact, this is one of the hottest job areas. 

According to the AMGA, family practitioners make a national average of $190,182 a year.  Those who choose to enter obstetrics as well will see a bit of a higher starting salary.  As family physicians become more in demand, perks such as extra vacation time and coverage of ongoing education fees may be negotiated in a contract.  Many young people entering the field of family medicine may be looking to eventually get their CAQ, or Certificate of Added Qualification, in sports medicine or further specialties within the family medicine field.  Family physicians are sorely needed in the United States as more medical students go into what they see as more lucrative professions. 

Family physicians see an average of 22-25 patients per day and they work about four or five days a week.  The largest advantage of choosing a family physician career over another physician career is the quality of life – availability for surgeries and emergencies is far more limited than it would be for a physician working in a hospital setting.  Hours are consequently more predictable and there is more time for a personal and family life of their own. 

If you are considering a career as a family physician there will be no shortage of oppurtunities for you – your only concern is where you want to live and whether you see yourself in a small, medium or large organization.  There are advantages to all of them.  A medium and large organization may make you see more patients, but will also have the administrative staff to deal with insurance company claims that you may have to fill out yourself in a smaller practice.  There may be more flexibility on hours at a smaller organization.  The best thing to do is to put your CV out there and see what you think of the many different offers that will come in.

A great place to start your search for a job as a family practice physician is at eMatchPhysicians.com.  Click here to join now for free and let us do the searching for you!

Tags: family practice physician, jobs by physician specialty

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