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. Indiana has 3,194 practicing family doctors. Broken out by city, family practice doctor density in Madison is 21, in Marengo is 1, in Marion is 24, in Markle is 6, in Markleville is 1, in Martinsville is 15, in Mentone is 1, in Merrillville is 61, in Michigan City is 22, in Middlebury is 13, in Middletown is 5, in Milan is 2, in Milford is 5, in Milford is 5, in Millersburg is 3, in Milroy is 1, in Mishawaka is 71, in Mitchell is 6, in Monon is 1, in Monroe is 1, in Monroe is 1, in Monroe City is 1, in Monroeville is 2, in Monrovia is 1, in Montgomery is 3, in Monticello is 16, in Montpelier is 4, in Mooresville is 15, in Morgantown is 1, in Morocco is 1, in Morristown is 1, in Mount Vernon is 5, in Mulberry is 1, in Muncie is 88, and in Munster is 46.

Indiana’s population is 6,271,973, and most of the state’s population is located in the north, near the Lake Michigan shoreline, and is part of the greater metro Chicago area. Indiana became a state in 1816, and boasts many historical sites and covered bridges, numerous state parks and forests, hunting and fishing, and a variety of golf courses. Centrally located Indianapolis is home to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, hosting the world-famous 500-mile auto race every year. This capital and largest city of Indiana also hosts a Civil War museum, a planetarium, and the Indiana Historical Society, among many other attractions.

According to 2005 Census estimates, Indiana has a population of 6,271,973. Of this population, 1,566,280 are under the age of 18 and 774,303 are at or above the age of 65.