Pediatricians, general and family practitioners, and general internists are often called primary care physicians since they are the first health professionals patients usually consult. They tend to see the same patients on a regular basis for a variety of ailments and preventive treatment. When appropriate, they refer patients to other specialists. D.O.'s are more likely to be primary care providers than allopathic physicians, although they can be found in all specialties. Physicians often work long, irregular hours.
Physicians often work long, irregular hours.
In general, as doctors approach retirement age, they may accept fewer new patients and tend to work shorter hours. Physicians who are on-call may make emergency visits to hospitals. Many physicians must travel frequently between office and hospital to care for their patients. Others practiced in the Federal Government, most in Department of Veterans Affairs hospitals and clinics or in the Public Health Service of the Department of Health and Human Services. While physicians have traditionally been solo practitioners, a growing number are partners or salaried employees of group practices.