This is information about the Origins of the General Practice of Medicine.

Organizations which have played a substantial role in the recent history of the general practice of medicine, include the American Board of General Practice (ABGP), the American College of General Medicine and the American Academy of General Physicians.

The American Board of General Practice is a national examining and certifying board. The American College of General Medicine is an educational organization that provides the General Practice Training Program. The American Academy of General Physicians is a national professional society of physicians, mostly general practice physicians. Both the American Board of General Practice and the American College of General Medicine are recognized and accredited by the American Academy of General Physicians.

Origins of General Practice

The “General Practice” of medicine has a long and prestigious history which predates the development of most of the specialties and areas of practice in medicine and surgery today. From an historical perspective, the “General Practice” of medicine and the organizations which support and further the cause of the “General Practice” of medicine (i.e. the American Academy of General Physicians and the American Board of General Practice) have a greater right to recognition and acceptance than most other specialties and areas of medicine.

While the term “General Practitioners” was first formally used in December 1844, with the formation of the “National Association of General Practitioners in Medicine, Surgery and Midwifery” in England, the roots of the general practice of medicine date back to 1617, with the formation of the “Society of Apothecaries” in England. The Society of Apothecaries was the formal society in which general practitioners associated. Many of the practitioners who practiced as apothecaries in the 1600’s referred to themselves as general practitioners. Apothecaries were practitioners who learned their profession as apprentices.

Another type of practitioner that was present, in England, in the 1600’s was the Barber Surgeon. These practitioners also learned their profession as apprentices. Although their apprenticeships were different from those of the apothecaries, many barber surgeons referred to themselves as general practitioners.

General practitioners, in the 1600’s and 1700’s, in England, were the true primary care physicians. They were the first physicians seen by most people. They were friends of, and advocates for, patients.

In 1815, England adopted the Apothecaries Act. This act gave the Society of Apothecaries the right to examine and license apothecaries. Many barber surgeons, who were practicing as general practitioners, also sought and obtained this licensure. In 1840 in England, about one third of all apothecaries and barber surgeons, who were practicing as general practitioners, had this licensure.

In 1844 in England, many barber surgeons, who were practicing as general practitioners, became dissatisfied with the Royal College of Surgeons. The Royal College of Surgeons adopted, in 1844, a new charter, which made stricter the route to fellowship in the College. Many barber surgeons, who were practicing as general practitioners and who had obtained licensure under the Apothecaries Act, did not like this and, as such, either left the Royal College of Surgeons or became disenfranchised from the College.

In December of 1844, the barber surgeons, who had either left, or became disenfranchised from, the Royal College of Surgeons, and who were practicing as general practitioners, joined with the apothecaries to form the “National Association of General Practitioners in Medicine, Surgery and Midwifery”.

The English traditions established for the training and practice of general practitioners were carried over to the United States through England’s original colonization of the United States.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE HISTORY OF THE GENERAL PRACTICE OF MEDICINE, CLICK ON THE FOLLOWING LINKS

History of General Practice in U.S. Click here for more information about the History of the General Practice of Medicine in the United States.

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE GENERAL PRACTICE OF MEDICINE, GENERAL PRACTITIONERS, GENERAL PHYSICIANS AND ORGANIZATIONS WHICH PERTAIN TO THE GENERAL PRACTICE OF MEDICINE, CLICK ON THE FOLLOWING LINKS

The Recognition of the American Board of General Practice Click here to obtain more information about the recognition of the American Board of General Practice.

American Academy of General Physicians' Origins Click here to get details pertaining to the Origins of the American Academy of General Physicians.

American Board of General Practice Click here to go to the website of the American Board of General Practice.

General Information about the Opinions of the American Academy of General Physicians To learn the importance of the Opinions of the American Academy of General Physicians, access this internet link.

Research Organization for General Physicians Click here to learn more about a Research Organization for General Physicians.

American Academy of General Physicians Click here to go to the website of the American Academy of General Physicians.

The beginning of the American Board of General Practice Click here to learn about how the American Board of General Practice began.

Information about Board Certification by the American Board of General Practice What does Board Certification by the American Board of General Practice mean for a physician? Click here to learn more.

American College of General Medicine Click here to go to the website of the American College of General Medicine.

General Practice of Medicine Click here to learn more about the General Practice of Medicine.

Association for General Practitioners Click here to learn more about an association for general practitioners.

How to file an Application with the American Board of General Practice Click here to learn about filing an application with the American Board of General Practice. This is general information.

American Board of General Practice and the Previous Experience Pathway The Previous Experience Pathway of the American Board of General Practice is one of two pathways that lead to Board Certification by the American Board of General Practice. Go to this website to learn about the Previous Experience Pathway of the American Board of General Practice.

The American Board of General Practice Board Eligible Status The American Board of General Practice is a non-profit examining certifying board. Click at this link to learn about the Board Eligible Status of the American Board of General Practice.

History of the American Board of General Practice The History of the American Board of General Practice can be obtained by clicking here.

The American Academy of General Physicians is made up of Physician Members, Click here to get more information The American Academy of General Physicians is recognized by the United States Internal Revenue Service as a 501(c)(6) non-profit organization. General Practice Physicians make up most of the Membership of the American Academy of General Physicians.

General Information about the Meetings of the American Academy of General Physicians To get General Information about the American Academy of General Physicians Meetings, click on this link.

General Practice Training Program Click here for information about General Practice Training Program of the American College of General Medicine. The General Practice Training Program is required under the Primary Standard Pathway of the American Board of General Practice. It is not required under the Previous Experience Pathway of the American Board of General Practice.

General Practice Board Certification Click here for information about General Practice Board Certification.

General Practice Examining and Certifying Board Click here to learn more about a General Practice Examining and Certifying Board.

General Practice Physicians Click here for information about General Practice Physicians.