General Practitioner

General practitioners are the doctors that most people see the most often. Normally, your primary care physician or family doctor will be a general practitioner. They are generalists, and treat a wide range of conditions, but will tend to refer more complex cases to specialists.

General practitioners come in two types: MDs, or Doctors of Medicine, and ODs, or doctors of Osteopathic medicine. Both MDs and ODs use surgery, drugs and any other scientifically validated treatment method. ODs focus more on the musculoskeletal system, preventive medicine and holistic options. ODs are typically primary care specialists, over 50 percent.

General practitioners must be able to work under pressure and make life-or-death decisions quickly. General practitioners need a good bedside manner, self-motivation, and a strong desire to help others. Mental and physical stamina to handle the pressure is also important.

Education and Credentials Required
General practitioners must complete four years of undergraduate college, four years of medical school, and three to eight years of residency. Some medical schools combine undergraduate and medical school into a six-year program. Competition for admission to medical school is intense. The first two years of medical school focus on anatomy and microbiology; the second two years are spend working in real-world conditions under the supervision of physicians. Every state requires all physicians to be licensed. Upon completion of residency, the prospective physician must pass an examination in a board specialty.

Future Prospects
Employment opportunities for general practitioners are expected to rise as fast as average. Opportunities will be best in rural and low-income areas, due to the lower concentration of physicians practicing in these areas.

Salary Range
The median salary, as of 2002, for general practitioners was $150,267. Self-employed General practitioners can expect to earn significantly more than salaried General practitioners. Experience, location, skill, reputation, hours worked and other factors impact income. General practitioners pay for their own health benefits and retirement.