Overview
General practitioners and family physicians diagnose and treat the diseases, physiological disorders and injuries of patients. They provide primary contact and continuous care toward the management of patients' health. They usually work in private practice, including group or team practices, hospitals and clinics. Residents in training to be general practitioners or family physicians are included in this unit group.
This group performs some or all of the following duties:
Examine patients and take their histories, order laboratory tests, X-rays and other diagnostic procedures and consult with other medical practitioners to evaluate patients' physical and mental health
Prescribe and administer medications and treatments
Perform and assist in routine surgery
Provide emergency care
Provide acute care management
Vaccinate patients to prevent and treat diseases
Deliver babies and provide pre-natal and post-natal care
Advise patients and their families on health care including health promotion, disease, illness and accident prevention
Provide counselling and support to patients and their families on a wide range of health and lifestyle issues
Perform patient advocacy role
Coordinate or manage primary patient care
Provide continuous care to patients
Supervise home care services
Report births, deaths, and contagious and other diseases to governmental authorities.
Employment prospects
Annual salary
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$178,810
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Job openings
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Strong job outlook
British Columbia
1,873expected job openings (5-year forecast)
Education and training
Employment requirements
A bachelor's degree is usually required.
Graduation from an approved medical school and two to three years of family medicine residency training are required.
Completion of the qualifying examinations of the Medical Council of Canada and licensing by the provincial or territorial licensing authority are required.
Additional information
General practitioners and family physicians may become specialist physicians with additional training.
Certification requirements
Mandatory: You need the following certifications to practice as General practitioners and family physicians in B.C.
- Registration with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia - GPs
- Completion of the qualifying examinations of the Medical Council of Canada
- Certificate of Qualification from the National Examining Board of the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association
Registration with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia - GPs
Confirm with the certifying body that your intended program qualifies you for this certification.
To practice as a medical doctor in B.C., you must register with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia. Eligibility is achieved by graduating from an accredited medical school, writing the Medical Council of Canada qualifying exams, and completing a residency program.
Completion of the qualifying examinations of the Medical Council of Canada
Confirm with the certifying body that your intended program qualifies you for this certification.
To practice as a general practitioner or family physician in B.C., you must complete the qualifying examinations set out by the Medical Council of Canada. Eligibility is achieved by completing or being expected to complete all the requirements for a recognized medical program.
Certificate of Qualification from the National Examining Board of the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association
Confirm with the certifying body that your intended program qualifies you for this certification.
To practice as a veterinarian in Canada, you must earn a Certificate of Qualification from the National Examining Board (NEB) of the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association. Eligibility is achieved by completion of a program at an accepted veterinary school, and by successful writing the NEB examinations.
Work Experience
Work experience required
Post-secondary programs in B.C.
Explore programs related to this career offered at post-secondary institutions in B.C.