| Metric | 2018 Data | |--------|-----------| | | 50.6 years | | Percentage of female family physicians | 44% (rising rapidly) | | Practice setting | 47% employed by hospital/health system; 33% independent private practice; 20% community health center | | Average patient panel size | 1,800–2,200 patients per FTE physician | | Median annual compensation | $217,000 (MGMA data) | | Mean visit length | 18–20 minutes |
The year 2018 represented a critical juncture for family medicine in the United States and globally. Caught between the lingering demands of fee-for-service models and the accelerating shift toward value-based care, family practices in 2018 were defined by adaptation, technological strain, and a renewed focus on the patient-centered medical home (PCMH). While the specialty remained the backbone of primary care, it faced unprecedented pressure from administrative burdens, workforce shortages, and the mental health crisis. family practice 2018
Introduction