A Family Practice physician specializes in providing comprehensive health care to individuals and families. The physician focuses on overall wellness, prevention of illness, and diagnosis of specific diseases. A family practice physician treats common problems as well as diagnoses and treats chronic illness. When chronic illness does arise, family practice physicians determine proper treatment options including consultants, health services and community resources. Challenges of specializing in family practice include dealing with patients of all ages, both sexes, each organ system, and every disease entity. A family practice physician must also consider psychological and sociological issues each patient faces. Family practice physicians are located in small rural communities as well as large cities and are considered the patient's primary physician. Family practice is a specialty that is characterized by long-term relationships with patients. The long-term relationship requires physicians to have sensitivity, compassion and personal commitment to their patients.

To become a Family Practice Physician, one must complete four years of college, four years of medical school, and complete a three-year Family Practice residency accredited by the Accreditation Council on Graduate Medical Education.

• Doctorate Degree

Most physicians work in an office-based practice, including clinics and HMOs (health maintenance organizations). Some physicians are employed by hospitals or practice in the Federal Government, primarily through the Department of Veterans Affairs or in the Public Heath Service of the Department of Health and Human Services. Newly trained physicians in the future are more likely to work in group medical practices, clinics, and health care networks than their predecessors and less likely to open their own solo practices.

$160,000

• Kirksville College Of Osteopathic Medicine
• St. Louis University, School Of Medicine
• The University Of Health Sciences, College Of Osteopathic Medicine
• University Of Kansas
• University Of Kansas School Of Medicine
• University Of Missouri - Columbia, School Of Medicine
• University Of Missouri - Kansas City
• University Of Missouri - Kansas City School Of Medicine
• Washington University, School Of Medicine

• American Medical Association
• American Osteopathic Association