General Practitioners in US Medical Practice Compared With Family Physicians.

Area of Science:

• Medical Workforce Analysis
• Physician Demographics
• Primary Care Research

Background:

• General Practitioners (GPs) and Family Physicians (FPs) are key components of the US physician workforce.
• Limited understanding exists regarding the distinct characteristics and practice patterns of self-identified GPs compared to FPs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the demographic, professional, and practice characteristics of self-identified General Practitioners (GPs).
• To compare these GPs with board-certified Family Physicians (FPs) in the United States.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of 2016 data for 102,604 physicians identifying as GPs or FPs.
• Utilized linked databases including AMA Masterfile and ABFM certification status.
• Examined personal, professional, and practice attributes.

Main Results:

• GPs (n=6,545) differed from FPs (n=79,449) across all examined characteristics.
• GPs were more likely to be older, male, Doctors of Osteopathy, and lack family medicine residency.
• GPs were less likely to participate in Medicare or work in hospitals.

Conclusions:

• General Practitioners in the US represent a heterogeneous group distinct from Family Physicians.
• Data collection, analysis, and reporting should differentiate between GPs and FPs to avoid misrepresentation.