This article provides answers to many of the questions medical students ask about the specialty of family practice. It is the fourth update of a previous article and was developed in response to feedback from medical students at the 1997 National Congress of Student Members held by the American Academy of Family Physicians. Students at the 1998 Congress also identified areas of interest and concern. This article discusses the hours and income of the family physician, the scope of medical practice in the specialty, required continuing medical education and board certification, family practice residency training and combined-specialty training.