Family Medicine Physicians
O*NET files this work under Family Medicine Physicians: people who diagnose, treat, and provide preventive care to individuals and families across the lifespan. Its interest code is SIC. Social leads at 6.2 out of 7, so expect helping, teaching or caring for people, with Investigative next at 6.1. The preparation level is extensive preparation, typically graduate school and often five years or more of related experience. O*NET’s skill data points to critical thinking, reading comprehension, and active listening as the ones to build. A regular part of the work is to prescribe or administer treatment, therapy, medication, vaccination, and other specialized medical care to treat or prevent illness, disease, or injury. People who want helping, teaching or caring for people usually fit better here than those who need creative work with room for original expression.
What they do
Diagnose, treat, and provide preventive care to individuals and families across the lifespan. May refer patients to specialists when needed for further diagnosis or treatment.
Main tasks
- Prescribe or administer treatment, therapy, medication, vaccination, and other specialized medical care to treat or prevent illness, disease, or injury.
- Order, perform, and interpret tests and analyze records, reports, and examination information to diagnose patients' condition.
- Collect, record, and maintain patient information, such as medical history, reports, or examination results.
- Monitor patients' conditions and progress and reevaluate treatments as necessary.
- Explain procedures and discuss test results or prescribed treatments with patients.
- Advise patients and community members concerning diet, activity, hygiene, and disease prevention.
Skills
- Critical Thinking
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Writing
- Speaking
- Time Management
Who this career fits
May suit you if
- You get energy from helping other people move forward.
- You enjoy working out why something happens, not just what happened.
- You are prepared for graduate-level study and a long training path.
- You are comfortable relying on critical thinking and reading comprehension.
May not suit you if
- You find a full day of dealing with people draining.
- You need creative expression to be a big part of your day. Artistic rates 1.5 out of 7 here.
- You want to be working in the field within the next few years.
Interest profile
O*NET rates each occupation from 1 to 7 on six interest types. The code SIC takes the three highest, and Social comes first here.
Preparation
Extensive preparation. Many jobs here need graduate study, and people often spend five years or more building specialist experience.
Most-reported requirement in the O*NET survey: Post-Doctoral Training. This reflects what workers reported most often and is not a legal minimum. Licensing rules can differ by state or industry, so confirm what applies where you plan to work.
Also called
- Board Certified Family Physician
- Family Medicine Physician
- Family Physician
- Family Practice Medical Doctor (FP MD)
- Family Practice Physician (FP Physician)
Related careers
Is this your direction?
See how your interests line up with SIC and 906 other careers.
This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.