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Family practice physician vs family practitioner

The differences between family practice physicians and family practitioners can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a family practice physician and a family practitioner. Additionally, a family practice physician has an average salary of $205,717, which is higher than the $180,399 average annual salary of a family practitioner.

The top three skills for a family practice physician include patients, family practice and primary care. The most important skills for a family practitioner are family medicine, patients, and family practice.

Family practice physician vs family practitioner overview

Family Practice PhysicianFamily Practitioner
Yearly salary$205,717$180,399
Hourly rate$98.90$86.73
Growth rate7%7%
Number of jobs55,01650,599
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 38%Bachelor's Degree, 42%
Average age4848
Years of experience44

What does a family practice physician do?

Family practice physicians provide comprehensive medical care services to each family member. These services may include disease diagnosis and treatment, family planning, and immunizations. They typically have undergone specialty training on the various primary care disciplines, including preventive care, pediatric medicine, and OB care. They are responsible for diagnosing and treating illnesses and medical conditions, providing routine health screenings, and advising patients on lifestyle changes to prevent diseases. Family practice physicians supervise physician assistants, medical assistants, and nurses and coordinate with occupational and rehabilitation therapists on a patient's behalf.

What does a family practitioner do?

Family practitioners are medical professionals who are responsible for providing care for an entire family in small and rural communities. By using their knowledge in the medical profession, these doctors are required to diagnose and treat a variety of medical issues while referring patients to an appropriate specialist if medical problems are outside their range of practice. They must participate in well-care visits with their patients to monitor the development of their health as well as perform routine tests such as cholesterol tests and blood pressure readings. Family practitioners must also help women give birth to a child.

Family practice physician vs family practitioner salary

Family practice physicians and family practitioners have different pay scales, as shown below.

Family Practice PhysicianFamily Practitioner
Average salary$205,717$180,399
Salary rangeBetween $136,000 And $310,000Between $90,000 And $359,000
Highest paying CityFargo, NDPhiladelphia, PA
Highest paying stateNorth DakotaFlorida
Best paying companyCentral Ohio Primary CarePeaceHealth
Best paying industryHealth CareHealth Care

Differences between family practice physician and family practitioner education

There are a few differences between a family practice physician and a family practitioner in terms of educational background:

Family Practice PhysicianFamily Practitioner
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 38%Bachelor's Degree, 42%
Most common majorMedicineMedicine
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaDuke University

Family practice physician vs family practitioner demographics

Here are the differences between family practice physicians' and family practitioners' demographics:

Family Practice PhysicianFamily Practitioner
Average age4848
Gender ratioMale, 37.8% Female, 62.2%Male, 40.1% Female, 59.9%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 5.2% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 9.6% Asian, 19.1% White, 61.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%Black or African American, 5.3% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 9.9% Asian, 19.0% White, 61.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage13%13%

Differences between family practice physician and family practitioner duties and responsibilities

Family practice physician example responsibilities.

  • Manage conditions including diabetes mellitus, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, hypothyroidism, asthma, and GERD.
  • Provide and perform x-rays and EKG upon doctor's request.
  • Perform EHR practice assessments and work and documentation flow analysis and redesign.
  • Review EHR on an as needed basis per missing information or documentation.
  • Review and help select EMR and transition providers and clinics to the new system.
  • Float to various departments such as the emergency room, ICU, and geriatric psych.
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Family practitioner example responsibilities.

  • Manage family health problems, examine patients, perform physical examination.
  • Manage conditions including diabetes mellitus, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, hypothyroidism, asthma, and GERD.
  • Provide examination, testing, diagnosis, treatment, referral and follow- up care for newborn through geriatrics.
  • Provide residential care and emergency medical treatment to incapacitate elderly patients
  • Operate electrocardiogram equipment to administer diagnostic testing (EKG).
  • Ensure patient and family understanding of diagnosis treatment and all accompanying relevant information.
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Family practice physician vs family practitioner skills

Common family practice physician skills
  • Patients, 22%
  • Family Practice, 19%
  • Primary Care, 14%
  • Urgent Care, 11%
  • EMR, 8%
  • Internal Medicine, 4%
Common family practitioner skills
  • Family Medicine, 32%
  • Patients, 25%
  • Family Practice, 12%
  • Internal Medicine, 8%
  • Urgent Care, 7%
  • Pediatrics, 6%

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