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. Virginia has 3,300 practicing family doctors. Broken out by city, family practice doctor density in Saint Paul is 2, in Saint Stephens Church is 2, in Salem is 33, in Saltville is 4, in Saluda is 1, in Sandy Hook is 2, in Scottsville is 1, in Shawsville is 3, in Shenandoah is 1, in Smithfield is 8, in South Boston is 6, in South Hill is 12, in South Riding is 2, in Spotsylvania is 5, in Springfield is 18, in Stafford is 23, in Stanardsville is 22, in Stanley is 1, in State Farm is 1, in Staunton is 13, in Stephens City is 5, in Sterling is 37, in Stony Creek is 3, in Strasburg is 4, in Stuart is 7, in Stuarts Draft is 8, in Suffolk is 41, in Surry is 1, in Sutherland is 2, and in Swords Creek is 1.

Virginia was one of the original 13 colonies, and Richmond, its capital, was also the colonial capital. Virginia achieved statehood in 1788, and its population is currently 7,567,465. Eight U.S. presidents were born in this state. Virginia is rich in colonial history. Two former president’s homes draw thousands of visitors each year: Mt. Vernon, home of George Washington, and Monticello, home of Thomas Jefferson. Also popular visiting sites are the Shenandoah National Park, the Booker T. Washington birthplace near Roanoke, and the Blue Ridge National Parkway. Famous Virginians are singer Ella Fitzgerald, tennis great Arthur Ashe, and actor George C. Scott

According to 2005 Census estimates, Virginia has a population of 7,567,465. Of this population, 1,765,029 are under the age of 18 and 860,258 are at or above the age of 65.