family physician

Education and Requirements

Degree in medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, or optometry.

Work Setting

Clinic.

Responsibilities

• Collect medical information from patients, family members, or other medical professionals.
• Examine patients’ health condition to identify diseases and injuries.
• Help patients develop healthy habits, break old habits and reshape their approach to wellness.
• Order laboratory tests, X-rays and other diagnostic procedures to determine the most appropriate medical treatment.
• Consult with other medical practitioners to evaluate patients' physical and mental health.
• Prescribe and administer medications and treatments.
• Participate on institutional committees.
• Inoculate and vaccinate patients to prevent and treat diseases.
• Advise patients on health care.
• Report births, deaths, contagious and other diseases to government authorities.