Holders of the Swiss Medical Association (FMH) designation “Practicing physician” (Praktische(r) Arzt/Ärztin) possess a broad range of medical knowledge about illnesses afflicting young people, adults and older people.

They provide primary care, carry out diagnostics and possess mastery of common examination methods such as blood and urine tests and x-ray examinations. They carry out an initial assessment and are capable of selecting the proper course of treatment. They provide emergency services and basic wound care. They decide when further examinations or special treatments are needed and refer patients to the appropriate specialists or hospitals as needed.

The further training to become a practicing doctor is often the foundation for earning the FMH specialist title for “General Internal Medicine” (Allgemeine Innere Medizin).