Career Overview

General practitioners, also called family physicians, are often the first healthcare professionals people turn to when they need medical care. They diagnose and treat illnesses and injuries, manage ongoing health conditions, provide preventive care, and help patients stay healthy over time. Modern family medicine also increasingly uses digital health tools, electronic records, telehealth, and data-driven care.

Education

Becoming a physician requires extensive post-secondary education and supervised clinical training. Students typically complete university-level pre-medical studies, followed by medical school and a family medicine residency. Licensing and professional examinations are also required before practicing independently. In many pathways, the full journey takes a decade or more after high school.

Future Outlook

The need for physicians is expected to continue as populations age, chronic health conditions become more common, and people seek ongoing access to healthcare. Advances in digital health, AI-supported tools, telehealth, and medical technology are also changing how physicians diagnose, monitor, and care for patients. Employment is projected to grow in many major labour markets, although opportunities can vary by specialty and location.

Work Environment

Family physicians work in medical clinics, private or group practices, community health centres, hospitals, and other healthcare settings. They spend much of their day seeing patients, reviewing medical information, diagnosing conditions, and creating treatment plans. Some physicians work evenings, weekends, or on-call shifts, depending on their practice.

Recommended High School Courses

• Chemistry
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