| Overview of the Specialty of Family Practice
Family practice physicians are trained to prevent, diagnose and treat a wide variety of ailments in patients of all ages. Although the scope and practice of family medicine is broad, it is a precise discipline, integrating a unique blend of biomedical, behavioral and social sciences. Family practice focuses on care within the context of the family on a continuing basis. Family physicians employ a diverse range of cognitive and procedural skills and coordinate care with other specialists when necessary. They receive training in surgery, psychiatry, internal medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics and geriatrics (Ref: #2).
Training Requirements for Family Practice
Training consists of a minimum of three years of postgraduate education in a ACGME-accredited training program. There are 475 family practice residency programs accredited by the ACGME for 2004/2005 offering nearly 2,800 categorical positions available to U.S. seniors.
Matching Program Information and Match Statistics for Family Practice
Family practice residency training programs participate in the NRMP. Match results through the NRMP and competitiveness information for family practice residency training positions are summarized on the right.
Subspecialty/Fellowship Training for Family Practice
Subspecialty/fellowship training following completion of a family practice residency training program is available in geriatric medicine and sports medicine. Detailed information about the scope of these subspecialty training programs, number of positions offered and length of training is available in the GMED. Further information can be obtained from the American Medical Association (AMA) and the Fellowship and Residency Electronic Interactive Database Access page (FREIDA).
Career Information
FREIDA physcian workforce information for each specialty includes statistical information on the number of positions/programs for residency training, resident workhours, resident work environment and compensation, employment status upon completion of program and work environment for those entering practice in each specialty.
Access FREIDA
For summary statistics and physician workforce information, click on "Specialty Statistics." | 
