The most-searched for medical specialty in the fourth quarter was family medicine, according to The Physician Recruiting Standard released by The Delta Companies, a Dallas-based healthcare staffing firm. The specialty ranked No. 3 in the fourth quarter of 2006.

"The demand for family medicine continues to rise, confirming that we are in the midst of a shortage of primary care physicians as well as specialists," said Jeff Molnar, director of consulting for Delta Physician Placement. "The shortage is not limited to rural communities anymore ' it's being felt everywhere."

Psychiatrists also saw their demand increase. Psychiatrists ranked as the sixth-most searched for specialty in the fourth quarter, up from No. 14 in the fourth quarter of 2006.