Here are some facts about family doctors across the country: Family Doctor Salaries in Canada So what is the average family doctor salary in Canada? The answer depends on which province you live in, the amount of patients you expect to see, and whether you take part in any alternative payment arrangements beyond the fee for services model. Per the Canadian Medical Association, over 50% of family doctors operate out of a group or solo practice, working an average of 49 hours per week. Working as a family doctor also allows you the option of opening your own practice, giving you even more flexibility over how much you will work.
Family doctors are able to spend more time with each patient, enjoy happier lives, and report less workplace stress – 74% of family doctors say they are satisfied with their current professional life, and over half of them are satisfied with their work life balance.
There are plenty of non-monetary benefits for this choice. These physicians are often drawn to becoming a family doctor due to the more flexible hours, the work life balance, and the personal relationship available with their patients. In Canada, the majority of medical students choose to be family doctors – 34% in 2018 according to CIHI. Residents in family medicine programs will learn the ropes in a variety of family practice settings, like general surgery, pediatrics, and emergency medicine, with the intention of developing a generalized medical skillset applicable to a wide variety of situations. To become a family doctor in Canada, you must first complete medical school and then become certified with the College of Family Physicians in Canada (CFPC), which requires an additional two years of training. As a general practitioner (GP) you will be your patient’s first point of contact on a medical issue, and a trusted source of guidance on their medical problems. They are called on to deal with medical problems in their early stages and provide more general and preventative care to their patient. Family medicine practitioners focus medical care on the individual patient, delivering services to a wide variety of demographics, genders, and ages. Is family practice right for you? You may have narrowed down your options for specialization, and have decided on family practice.