Family and General Practitioners
Did You Know:*
- Many physicians and surgeons work long, irregular hours.
- Acceptance to medical school is highly competitive.
- Formal education and training requirements ? typically four years of undergraduate school, four years of medical school and three to eight years of internship and residency ? are among the most demanding of any occupation, but earnings are among the highest.
- Job opportunities should be very good, particularly in rural and low-income areas.
Industry Areas
- Offices of Physicians
- General Medical and Surgical Hospitals
- Outpatient Care Centers
Day-to-Day 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, and examination results.
Overall Kind of Work*
Physicians and surgeons diagnose illnesses and prescribe and administer treatment for people suffering from injury or disease. Physicians examine patients, obtain medical histories and order, perf...
Work Environment*
Civilian
Many physicians-primarily general and family practitioners, general internists, pediatricians, OB/GYNs, and psychiatrists-work in small private offices or clinics, often assisted by a small staff ...
Military
Physicians and surgeons work in hospitals and clinics on land and aboard ships.
Workweek Breakdown
The hours worked per week by people currently pursuing this career.
- 1.77% (0-20 Hours)
- 6.51% (21-34 Hours)
- 4.56% (35-39 Hours)
- 33.15% (40 Hours)
- 4.70% (41-49 Hours)
- 49.31% (Over 50 Hours)
This data also pertains to Family and General Practitioners(29-1060)
Type of Work
The level of day-to-day involvement with data, people or things.
Data: 
People: 
Things: 
Skills at a Glance
The levels of different skills helpful in this career.
Verbal skills:
Critical Thinking & Problem Solving:
Equipment Operation & Maintenance:
Math & Science Skills:
Technology Design & Control:
Leadership:
Workplace at a Glance
The level of different environmental factors you would experience on the job.
Responsibility:
Exposure to Job Hazards:
Physical Activity:
Decision Making:
Repetitiveness:
Level of Competition:
Time Pressure:
Business Breakdown
The different sectors people in this career currently work in.
- 41.22% (Private For-Profit)
- 20.98% (Private Not For-Profit)
- 8.17% (State and Local Govt)
- 4.02% (Federal Government)
- 25.62% (Self-Employed)
This data also pertains to Physicians And Surgeons
Military Breakdown
The number of people who currently hold this career in the Military.
1,137 Family and General Practitioners in the military