How are family medicine & general practice different?

[EeePC1005PR]

As title thanks.

In Australia these terms are used interchangeably: family medicine, family practice, general practice. One needs to undergo specific training (1 year hospital excluding internship, plus 2 years in the community) and pass the exams from Royal Australian College of General Practitioners to practice as a General Practitioner.

Long time ago one could call themselves GP after just 1 year internship in hospital, and then they are GPs if they want. They are gradually getting phased out as more of them retire and new ones have to pass the board exams through RACGP.

Does the term "family medicine" imply something different to "general practice" in the States?

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[teacherman84]

Yes, in the states GPs have completed only one year of post grad training (internship). They have a medical license but no board certification.

FPs complete a 3 year residency and are board certified.

 

[citixen]

Yes, in the states GPs have completed only one year of post grad training (internship). They have a medical license but no board certification.

really? can one work after only one year of internship/transitional year/prelim year?

 

[deleted87716]

really? can one work after only one year of internship/transitional year/prelim year?

You can legally practice medicine in most states if you complete one year of internship and pass all USMLE steps.

Whether or not you can find work at that point depends. Job opportunities are limited for non-BC/BE physicians.

 

[citixen]

thanks! i didn't know this

 

[EeePC1005PR]

Wow. Don't know about other people but for me after internship was just the beginning of clinical training. Internship was just warming up man. So basically everyone who's done their internship and passed USMLE, can be GPs if they want :S

How about insurance. Do you guys have such a thing as public health insurance over there? It's called Medicare here in Australia which pays for surprisingly many things for people. So someone can just rock up and see me for 40 minutes, have tests etc. and pay nothing. For example they can see me for mental health issues, government pays all. Pap smear, antenatal care etc. the same, government pays all. Just pay small amount for their medication if they need medication. Are GPs in the States (talking about those who only did their internship, didn't pass Family Medicine board exam) paid by insurance at all?

Thanks for the replies.

 

[deleted87716]

Are GPs in the States (talking about those who only did their internship, didn't pass Family Medicine board exam) paid by insurance at all?

Most of the time, although some commercial carriers will not credential physicians who are not BC/BE. It may also be more difficult (or more expensive) to obtain malpractice insurance.

It's also typically very difficult, if not impossible, to obtain any kind of facility privileges (e.g., hospital admitting privileges) without board certification, except perhaps in underserved areas.

And yes, the US does have taxpayer-funded insurance for those who qualify (e.g., Medicare, Medicaid, Tricare, etc.) Slightly more than half of all healthcare expenditures in the US are paid for by the government.