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Medical doctor vs family medicine physician

The differences between medical doctors and family medicine physicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a medical doctor and a family medicine physician. Additionally, a family medicine physician has an average salary of $217,942, which is higher than the $181,967 average annual salary of a medical doctor.

The top three skills for a medical doctor include patients, patient care and internal medicine. The most important skills for a family medicine physician are patients, primary care, and urgent care.

Medical doctor vs family medicine physician overview

Medical DoctorFamily Medicine Physician
Yearly salary$181,967$217,942
Hourly rate$87.48$104.78
Growth rate7%7%
Number of jobs60,64273,309
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeDoctoral Degree, 56%Doctoral Degree, 44%
Average age4848
Years of experience44

What does a medical doctor do?

A Medical Doctor, also known as a physician, is a healthcare professional who diagnoses and treats patients from injuries and illnesses. As a Medical Doctor, your day-to-day duties will typically include assessing a patient's symptoms, prescribing and administering treatment to patients, and providing follow-up medical care to patients. You will be responsible for interpreting patients' laboratory results and referring them to other providers when needed. Also, you will need to work closely with other healthcare professionals and promote health education.

What does a family medicine physician do?

A Family Medicine Physician provides medical services for members of families through the use of various medical instruments and equipment. They administer treatments and prescribe various medications.

Medical doctor vs family medicine physician salary

Medical doctors and family medicine physicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

Medical DoctorFamily Medicine Physician
Average salary$181,967$217,942
Salary rangeBetween $95,000 And $347,000Between $141,000 And $336,000
Highest paying CityBrownsville, TXFargo, ND
Highest paying stateNew JerseyVermont
Best paying companyPacific Medical CentersYuma Regional Medical Center
Best paying industryTransportationHealth Care

Differences between medical doctor and family medicine physician education

There are a few differences between a medical doctor and a family medicine physician in terms of educational background:

Medical DoctorFamily Medicine Physician
Most common degreeDoctoral Degree, 56%Doctoral Degree, 44%
Most common majorMedicineMedicine
Most common collegeDuke UniversityDuke University

Medical doctor vs family medicine physician demographics

Here are the differences between medical doctors' and family medicine physicians' demographics:

Medical DoctorFamily Medicine Physician
Average age4848
Gender ratioMale, 46.9% Female, 53.1%Male, 51.4% Female, 48.6%
Race ratioBlack 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%Black or African American, 5.3% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 9.8% Asian, 19.0% White, 61.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage13%13%

Differences between medical doctor and family medicine physician duties and responsibilities

Medical doctor example responsibilities.

  • Partner with team to achieve overall well-being patients and contribute to successful department research accreditation.
  • Perform selection and interpretation of labs including EKG readings, diagnostic imaging, blood work, and urinalyses.
  • Batch to clearing house, upload files from insurance, data entry answer phones, collect payments over phone, EMR.
  • Examine patients, order laboratory test and other diagnostic procedures and follow up with acute and chronic diseases
  • Provide overall quality prenatal health care, gynecological services, patient triage, refer patients with complications, provide patient education service
  • Perform and interpret ECG test.
  • Show more

Family medicine physician example responsibilities.

  • Obtain information about clients' medical history, drug history, complaints and allergies.
  • Implement integrated practice management and EHR system.
  • Perform EKG's, glucose, A1C, and urine testing.
  • Send referrals, enter referrals in epic system.
  • Perform clinical evaluation, diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of outpatients
  • Assist ATC's with first aid, evaluation, treatment and rehabilitation of injuries.
  • Show more

Medical doctor vs family medicine physician skills

Common medical doctor skills
  • Patients, 30%
  • Patient Care, 9%
  • Internal Medicine, 7%
  • Primary Care, 7%
  • Diagnosis, 4%
  • Medical History, 4%
Common family medicine physician skills
  • Patients, 34%
  • Primary Care, 20%
  • Urgent Care, 14%
  • Internal Medicine, 6%
  • Health System, 5%
  • Surgery, 3%

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