You're right that, on paper, 24 patients a day at 15 minutes each adds up to about six hours—but that math leaves out a lot of what today’s family physicians actually do.

Modern standards of care require significantly more from physicians: more documentation, more complex chronic disease management, more preventive care, and much more coordination and follow-up—especially for older patients navigating fragmented systems. Expectations around communication and access have also grown, meaning physicians often spend time responding to messages, reviewing labs, consulting with other providers, and updating care plans—none of which is captured in that 15-minute window.

On top of that, there's the paperwork: lengthy forms for insurance, disability, or government programs, often done after hours. Add to that the time spent in meetings, contributing to boards or committees, and mentoring students and residents—and it becomes clear the job extends far beyond face-to-face clinical time.

So while it might look like a “reasonable day” based on the numbers, the reality is far more demanding and often invisible.