Is Family Medicine Right For Me?

Information, facts and answers to frequently asked questions

about family medicine

Amy L. McGaha, MDAmerican Academy of Family Physicians

Primary Care Specialties• Family Medicine

• Internal Medicine

• Pediatrics

Why is primary care important?

Longer life spans and fewer deaths due to heart and lung disease

Fewer cases and fewer deaths due to colon and cervical cancer

Better detection of breast cancer Less ER and hospital use Better preventive care Reduced health disparities

A typical month of health care in the United States

How are family physicians trained? 3 years More than 400 family medicine

residencies Community-based Medical school-based Military Inner-city Urban Suburban Rural

Hospital practice of family physicians

83% provide care in the hospital 21% deliver babies 43% delivered care in the CCU 48% delivered care in the ICU 54% deliver care in hospital ER

Source – AAFP Facts About Family Medicine. 2005 http://www.aafp.org/facts.xml

Lifestyle of Family Physicians 50 hours per week in patient-related

activities Avg. wks worked – 47.2 weeks

5 weeks for vacation/CME Avg. Income $172,000

Current PCHPSAs Without FPs

Where Do Family Physicians Practice?

Source: Robert Graham Center for Policy Studies in Family Practice

and Primary Care. http://www.graham-center.org/

Are family physicians in demand?

The primary care specialty most in demand

35% increase in recruitment of family physicians since 2004

More ads for family physicians

Source: Hawkins, J. Encouraging news about family physician recruitment. Source: Hawkins, J. Encouraging news about family physician recruitment. Family Practice Management. 2005 Apr; 12(4); 56-8.Family Practice Management. 2005 Apr; 12(4); 56-8.

Faces and Places

El Salvador 2002

Faces and Patients

Faces and Places

Body Parts or Whole Person?