Family meicine differs from the traditional European general practitioner. In the U.S. family practitioners usually complete an undergraduate degree and then complete either the Doctor of Medicine degree (M.D.) or a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree (D.O.). A physician who specializes in family medicine (also known as a family physician), however, must complete a three-year family medicine residency in addition to their medical degree, and is eligible for the board certification now required by most hospitals and health plans.