Family Practice vs. General Practice

When it comes to educational and residency requirements, they are quite similar. Both need to complete a four-year bachelor’s degree, four years of education at an accredited U.S. medical school, and three years of residency under the supervision of a senior physician educator. The big difference is when it comes to areas of specialization and types of care. Here are the ways that family practices care for patients differently:

• Practice philosophy: Family practice physicians make it a priority to focus on meeting the needs of the whole family. The family doctor is trained to care for the patient throughout their whole life, from birth to old age. The diversity of family doctors is a big advantage, since it means they are often trained in areas such as pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, and geriatrics.

• Types of patients: Family practice physicians see and treat patients of all ages. Because of their specialization in various areas, patients may receive more of their treatment in this one location rather than being referred to a specialist.

• Preventative medicine: Since family doctors work with patients throughout their entire lifetime, the primary focus is on preventative medicine. This includes work that promotes overall physical and mental well-being, while also educating patients on disease prevention and how to manage chronic illnesses.