How many sessions does a full-time GP work?

A full-time GP typically works 8 to 9 sessions per week, with each session lasting around 4 hours, totaling roughly 37.5 hours, but many GPs work significantly longer due to intense workloads and administrative tasks, with some studies suggesting 6 sessions at current durations equal full-time hours. While 8 sessions (4 days) is a common benchmark for full-time, the actual work often extends beyond nominal hours, with many GPs working 10+ sessions or more to manage complex patient needs and paperwork.

How many hours a week do general practitioners work?

Family physicians may work more than 40 hours in a week, but physicians who work on-call may be more likely to work overtime. These physicians may work additional rounds at nursing homes, hospitals or similar facilities.

What is the full time equivalent of GP?

In Full Time Equivalent (FTE) terms of 37.5 hours a week, this equates to 28,698 full-time fully qualified GPs.

How many patients does a general practitioner see per day?

Physicians say they typically see about 1% of their patient panel per day, meaning in a fee-for-service (FFS) model, primary care doctors often see 20 to 25 patients daily.

What doctor makes $500,000 a year?

Doctors in high-demand surgical and specialized fields like Orthopedics, Plastic Surgery, Radiology, Cardiology, and Gastroenterology often earn over $500,000 annually, with some top earners in Thoracic Surgery or Neurosurgery making significantly more, while even family doctors can reach this level through practice ownership or specialized services.
 

Trends in full-time general practice

Is 40 patients a day a lot?

In the U.S., the average number of patients that a primary care physician sees ranges between 20 to 30 patients per day. However, some doctors, especially in busier settings, may see upwards of 40 or more patients a day, while those in smaller practices or specialized fields may see fewer than 15 patients daily.

How many days does a full-time GP work?

Life as a GP

A full-time working week usually comprises of eight sessions, which equates to four days. A typical day in the practice normally starts at around 8am when you'll check paperwork before seeing patients.

Why are GP surgeries not seeing patients?

Fewer doctors are looking after greater numbers of patients

While many practices have entered into mergers, some practices have permanently closed. As of December 2024, 1,396 practices have closed since 2015. Factors causing this can include partner retirements, the inability to recruit staff or GP partners.

How many patients should a GP see per day?

The recommended BMA maximum is 25 patients per day. Due to the effect of this on the care we provide and on our family life and our physical and psychological wellbeing, we have now set limits on our daily tasks. These limits will however still be above the recommended maximum.

Do GP practices get paid per patient?

Unlike hospital doctors, GPs are not employed by the NHS – the practice works like a small business, receiving a sum of money per patient.

How many hours is a full time GP trainee?

How many hours is a GP trainee/registrar contracted to work whilst in a GP training post? 40 hours per week at full time equivalent. For trainees working less than full time (LTFT) this is adjusted on a pro-rata basis (i.e. an 80% WTE trainee is contracted to work 32 hours per week).

What is the average salary of a GP in the US?

Average base salary

The average salary for a general practitioner is $153,341 per year in the United States. 252 salaries taken from job postings on Indeed in the past 36 months (updated January 11, 2026).

Do doctors work 7 days on 7 days off?

Yes, many hospital-based doctors, especially hospitalists, work a common "7 days on, 7 days off" schedule, working long shifts (often 12 hours) for a week, including weekends, then having a full week off, which allows for long periods of rest but can lead to burnout during work weeks. This schedule ensures continuity of care for patients but is just one model, with other specialties like emergency medicine or surgery having different patterns, and some doctors even prefer more frequent, shorter shifts.
 

Do family medicine physicians have good work-life balance?

About a third of us pick up shifts as ER doctors in addition to our full time gigs, and one works completely in the ER as as ER attending, in sunny southern California no less. “I felt FM has given me incredible work-life balance. I worked two other jobs before landing my current one.

How many more years of school does a general practitioner take?

While there are some 6-7 year combined BS/MD programs, most individuals become a doctor after at least 11 years of training. This includes 4 years of undergraduate studies, 4 years or medical school, and a minimum of 3 years in residency.

What are red flags for doctors?

Some of the “red flags” are: The patient is from out of state. The patient requests a specific drug. The patient states that an alternative drug does not work.

Do all GP surgeries use patchs?

Please note that not all GP practices have enabled Patchs access via the NHS App. To access Patchs via the NHS App, you have to download the NHS App onto your smartphone and create a NHS login / login with your existing NHS login.

What not to say to your doctor?

You should not lie to your doctor about anything, especially your use of drugs (including supplements/marijuana), alcohol, smoking, medications, sexual history, diet, exercise, or mental health, because these omissions can seriously affect diagnosis, treatment safety (drug interactions), and overall health management, hindering their ability to help you effectively and potentially leading to worse health outcomes. 

What is the most overworked doctor?

Emergency medicine physicians experience the most intense burnout, with the highest emotional fatigue (68%) and depersonalization (55%). Therapists reported the next-highest rate of emotional fatigue at 61%, along with the highest mental fatigue (77%).

How much does a full-time GP earn?

We used two approaches for calculating full-time equivalent earnings (see the methodology for further details), which suggested these may average in the region of £163,500 (alternative method: £168,000) for partners and £108,300 (£92,400) for salaried GPs in 2022/23.

Is being a doctor a 9 to 5 job?

No, most doctors do not work a standard 9-to-5; their hours are often long, irregular, and include nights, weekends, and on-call shifts, varying greatly by specialty, with roles like ER or OB/GYN having less fixed schedules, while some outpatient or VA physicians might find more 9-to-5 opportunities, though still typically exceeding 40 hours weekly. 

What is the 72 hour rule for hospitals?

The 72-Hour Rule (or 3-Day Payment Window) in hospitals, primarily for Medicare, bundles outpatient diagnostic and related non-diagnostic services provided within 3 calendar days before an inpatient admission into the inpatient claim, treating them as part of the inpatient stay for billing, not separate outpatient charges, to prevent duplicate payments and ensure proper coding. This rule ensures that tests like labs, EKGs, or X-rays done just before admission are billed correctly with the inpatient stay, requiring documentation to support the clinical connection and exceptions for services like ambulance rides. 

Which doctor spends the most time with patients?

How specialties compare

• Infectious disease—8.4 hours per eight hours of scheduled patient time.
• Endocrinology—7.7.
• Nephrology—7.5.
• Primary care (family and internal medicine)—7.3.
• Hematology—7.2.