Family practice is the branch of medicine concerning the total health care of the person and the family. A family practice physician can have a varied and extensive medical background, including internal medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, psychiatry, and geriatrics. A family physician has the skills and knowledge to provide care and health maintenance education for all ages. This physician is trained to diagnose and treat each member of the family, no matter what the problem.

Physicians in this specialty treat patients suffering from numerous diseases and illnesses, but some of the most common are Emphysema, Broncho-Esophagology, Pneumonia, Osteoarthritis , Bronchitis, cystic fibrosis, Asthma, pectus excavatum, osteoporosis, infection, Diabetes, cancer, Acne, Alzheimer's disease, Hypertension, Autism, Yeast infection, Strep throat, Anemia, and Aneurysm.

Once properly diagnosed, practitioners can perform numerous procedures on patients including wart removal and mole removal.

To diagnose patients with possible illnesses and diseases, specialists will often perform one of many tests including Bone density test, FAA-Flight Physicial, physicial / check up, physicial, biopsy, Computed Axial Tomography (CT or CAT Scan), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG), ultrasound, x-ray, Blood Test, Upper GI (Barium Swallow), stool test, Lower GI (Barium Enema), electrolyte test, microbiological culture, and pH probe test.

Doctor density varies by specialty and location. California has 13,575 practicing family doctors. Broken out by city, family practice doctor density in Pacific Grove is 5, in Pacific Palisades is 13, in Pacifica is 3, in Pacoima is 8, in Pageland is 1, in Palm Desert is 29, in Palm Springs is 44, in Palmdale is 32, in Palo Alto is 74, in Palo Cedro is 2, in Palos Verdes Estates is 6, in Palos Verdes Peni is 3, in Palos Verdes Peninsula is 5, in Panorama City is 71, in Paradise is 28, in Paramount is 23, in Parlier is 8, in Pasadena is 109, in Paso Robles is 8, in Patterson is 17, in Patton is 12, in Pauma Valley is 1, in Pebble Beach is 1, in Penn Valley is 3, in Perris is 10, in Pescadero is 2, in Petaluma is 35, in Petrolia is 2, in Phelan is 4, in Pico Rivera is 31, in Pine Grove is 4, in Pine Valley is 1, in Pinole is 21, in Pioneer is 2, in Pismo Beach is 17, in Pittsburg is 14, in Pittsburgh is 1, in Placentia is 12, in Placerville is 28, in Planada is 3, in Playa Del Rey is 1, in Pleasant Hill is 18, in Pleasanton is 29, in Plymouth is 1, in Point Mugu Nawc is 1, in Point Reyes Station is 5, in Point Richmond is 1, in Pomona is 93, in Pope Valley is 1, in Port Hueneme is 9, in Port Hueneme Cbc Base is 1, in Porter Ranch is 1, in Porterville is 36, in Portola is 6, in Potter Valley is 2, in Poway is 22, in Prather is 3, in Presidio Of Monterey is 2, and in Prunedale is 6.

California’s population is 36,142,137, and it is America’s third largest and most populous state. It also claims the highest and lowest altitudes in the lower 48 states. The lowest point in the country, Death Valley, is also home to the nation’s highest recorded temperature, 134 degrees. Tourists flock to this state for its many outdoor activities and attractions, including Universal Studios, Disneyland, Rodeo Drive shopping, the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, wine country tours, and California’s numerous beaches and parks. Los Angeles is the nation’s second largest city, but California’s capital is Sacramento. The giant sequoias in California’s forests are among the oldest living things in the world, and a redwood in the Redwood National Park is said to be the world’s tallest tree, at 365 feet. California achieved statehood in 1850, and was named the Golden State after the beginning of the Gold Rush in 1848.

According to 2005 Census estimates, California has a population of 36,132,147. Of this population, 9,308,563 are under the age of 18 and 3,827,038 are at or above the age of 65.