What has become of family physicians?

The author is clearly trying to stir up controversy by grossly overstating the situation with regards to family physicians sub- specializing and the supposed decline of the field. My concern with this is that it seems to suggest that no family physicians are doing much of anything anymore. I do not think I do the exact same type of job as some of these idealized family physicians from the past, but the times have changed. How could I expect to do the exact same thing as someone who practiced prior to all of the medical advancements and new technologies that have surfaced over recent years? We are now expected to practice medicine to a much higher standard of care. Our patients expect this and they do not simply respect you because you carry an MD. I do, however, work in a busy emergency department, delivery my obstetrical patients' babies, see hospital patients in a clinical teaching unit and see patients in my office. Many of my colleagues do the same. I do not know anyone in my region that only does cosmetics. There is probably someone, but this is certainly a fairly insignificant minority. There will always be a few people that go through all the training and do not seem to do much with it. This is very few. Most of us are working hard for our patients. I do not think the situation for residents going into Family Medicine is as dire as the author writes either. Family Medicine spaces are increasing in most schools, so we are actually training more family doctors than ever. I am confident that the future of Family Medicine in Canada is brighter than ever.

Conflict of Interest:

None declared