MD vs. DO & Family Medicine: Specialization Paths & Time Commitment

Question
Hey

I have heard that 4 yrs of college and 4 yrs of medical school you earn a MD. DEGREE. Now is this degree equal to the FAMILY PRACTICE DOCTOR OR DO YOU HAVE TO UNDERGO SPECIALITY TRAINING FOR BECOMING A FAMILY PRACTICE PHYSICIAN? ALSO WHICH SUBSPECIALITY IN INTERNAL MEDICINE TAKES THE LOWEST NUMBER OF YEARS?

THANKS

MANTHAN  

Answer
when you finish the 4 years of med school, you have the doctorate degree, then to be certified in a specialty, the least is 3 years (family med, internal med) then it may be 2-3 add'l years to subspecialize such as gastrointest, cardiology, etc.  Surgery is a different pathway, typically 5 years for general surgery, and 2 years additional for a subspecialty like cardiac surg or neurosurg.  Least to specialize is 3 years; many states you can practice general medicine with a 1 year internship, but most people now do the three years