Family Medicine Physician

Education Needed

• Family Medicine Physicians must complete extensive education and training requirements, starting with a bachelor’s degree and then working towards their Medical Doctor (MD) or a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) at a medical school program.
• Bachelor degree majors vary, with popular pre-med majors including biology, chemistry, and biochemistry. These majors may help students to meet medical school prerequisites and to have a more competitive application.
  Common undergrad courses may include anatomy and physiology, biochemistry, biology, biology labs, calculus, genetics, and organic chemistry.

Medical School

• Medical school programs consist of two main phases. The first “preclinical phase” features academic courses, labs, classroom activities, plus some practical skills development. The second “clinical phase” involves consulting with patients at clinics and hospitals under supervised conditions.
• Applicants must take and pass the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) and submit results along with their program applications.

1. The MCAT is a critical element of a successful application. The test is multiple-choice and designed to assess “problem-solving, critical thinking, and knowledge of natural, behavioral, and social science concepts and principles prerequisite to the study of medicine.”

• When assessing applications, med school review boards consider each applicant’s undergraduate coursework, GPA, and MCAT scores, as well as any demonstrated personality and leadership traits and extracurricular activities involvement. The review officers also conduct formal interviews of selected applicants.
• Note, a limited number of schools feature combined undergraduate and medical programs which can make the educational route smoother. These programs tend to be very competitive to get into.

Licensure and Residency

• After graduation from medical school, graduates must complete residency programs at a clinic or hospital, serving as “interns” for the first year. Residency programs help doctors develop deeper knowledge and hands-on experience in their specialty. Family medicine residencies may last ~3 years.
• Students can study to become either Medical Doctors (MDs) or Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine (DOs).
• Per Scripps.org, “More than half of DOs practice in primary care, specializing in internal medicine, family medicine and pediatric medicine where they can develop long-term relationships with their patients. DOs generally take a more holistic approach and look beyond the physical symptoms of illness or injury. They take into account the various aspects of a patient’s life — including body, emotions, the environment, mind and spirit — to develop an individualized care plan.”
• After the first year of residency, Family Medicine Physicians should apply for state licensure, with requirements differing from state to state.
• One common requirement is passing a national exam. MDs must pass steps 1 and 2 of the U.S. Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE). DOs must pass levels 1 and 2 of the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination (COMLEX-USA).

1. In addition, doctors must complete either core clerkships or additional periods of clinical instruction.

Fellowships

• Family Medicine Physicians who choose a subspecialty must complete fellowship training which can take 1-3 more years. St. George’s University features an Ultimate List of Medical Specialties and Subspecialties to help understand the options. Family medicine subspecialties include:

1. Adolescent Medicine
2. Geriatric Medicine
3. Hospice and Palliative Medicine
4. Obstetrics
5. Preventive Medicine
6. Sleep Medicine
7. Sports Medicine

Board Certification

• Board certification is technically optional, but highly recommended because many employers and insurance companies require it. It also lets patients and peers know that the physician has met rigorous standards of education, training, and expertise.
• In addition, board certification can serve as a protective measure in malpractice cases.
• Certifying boards include the American Board of Family Medicine for MDs and the American Osteopathic Board of Family Physicians for DOs.

1. Note, MDs must get recertified every 10 years. DOs must get recertified every 8 years.
2. They must also fulfill Maintenance of Certification requirements, such as Continuing Medical Education, quality improvement activities, and periodic knowledge assessments or other evaluations as specified by the certifying board. 

• Medical schools are tough to get into, so you need to be very well-prepared! That includes knocking out your bachelor’s in a relevant major while maintaining a strong GPA.
• Schools may post the minimum GPA requirements for applicants, but keep in mind that just meeting the minimum won’t make an application competitive.
• For undergraduate schools, look for programs that are accredited and feature the rigorous foundational coursework you’ll need to succeed at med school.
• Many schools serve as “feeder schools” for popular medical schools. It’s not required to attend a feeder school, but it could be helpful.
• Consider tuition costs (in-state/out-of-state rates), discounts, scholarships, and course delivery options (on-campus, online, or hybrid program).
• Review faculty bios and awards and learn what types of facilities and modern equipment the program utilizes. Also peek at the accomplishments of the alumni network!
• For medical school, check out the available options for clinical rotations, which are done at affiliated teaching hospitals, medical centers, and clinics.
• Examine the program’s acceptance rates, graduation rates, and job placement stats.

Biology is the most common major for future Family Medicine Physicians and is widely offered in universities around the nation. U.S. News’ Colleges Offering a Biology Major provides a detailed ranking of some of the best school options, but there are plenty more to choose from. The site also features a helpful page for finding the best medical schools based on your area of interest! 

• Participate in school activities where you can hone your soft skills and gain leadership experience.
• Take college prep classes in high school, including anatomy, physiology, biology, chemistry, math, physics, calculus, statistics, English composition, psychology, and communications. Study hard to earn good grades so you can get accepted into a suitable pre-med undergrad program.
• Choose your undergraduate major wisely. The most common bachelor’s degree major for Family Medicine Physicians is biology, but some students major in chemistry, biochemistry, or other fields.
• Plan ahead by looking at med school requirements early! The key is ensuring you have a solid foundation for medical school with all prerequisites completed.
• Apply for pre-med jobs like home health aide, medical scribe, phlebotomist, or certified nursing assistant.
• Join medical student organizations to make friends, learn, and stay motivated! Popular options include:

1. American Medical Student Association
2. Student National Medical Association

• Keep a list of contacts (including phone numbers or emails) who might serve as future job references.
• Read, watch, or conduct informational interviews with Family Medicine Physicians to learn about their daily duties.
• Check out medical journal articles and video tutorials about family medicine subspecialties.
• Keep a working draft of your resume and CV.
• Learn about the specific licensure requirements for the state you plan to work in.
• Stay out of trouble so you can pass a criminal background check if required for licensure in your state.
• Develop a workout schedule so you can stay in shape and manage stress.
• Practice your interview skills before applying to medical school.
• Study hard for the MCAT with prep books and online prep courses and materials.
• Start using the resources made available by professional organizations like the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), which offers an “array of information and tools designed to address your needs and help you navigate your career.”

1. Note, the AAFP even has a helpful YouTube channel!