When health-related concerns arise, a general practitioner is the first point of contact. They are your primary health professionals. Keeping track of your routine ailments and health trends. And refer to specialised care when needed.
But what to expect during your visit to a general practitioner? And how to be prepared for it?
In this blog post, we will guide you about the role and duties of a general practitioner. And help you make better decisions about your healthcare.
We provide skilled general practitioners at Main Street Medical Centre. To deliver you a diverse range of health services. They can facilitate you with routine check-ups, preventive care, and management of chronic conditions.
What is a General Practitioner?
A General Practitioner (GP) is a doctor who provides primary care and general health advice.
They act as the primary contact for patients and coordinate their holistic health needs. Not only diagnosing and treating a wide range of conditions. But also guiding you toward preventive measures and specialized care when needed.
Unlike specialists who concentrate on specific services. GPs are skilled in general health and common ailments. Routine checkups provided by them help in managing a range of acute and chronic conditions.
Let’s know the basic qualifications of these primary healthcare providers.
Qualifications Required for General Medical Practice
The qualifying procedure of general medical practice includes extensive education and training. Here’s a brief overview of the process:
1. Medical Degree
A medical degree with a span of 5-6 years is required to become a general practitioner. It covers all the knowledge and skills required for comprehensive healthcare.
2. Residency or Internship
After medical school, the 3-year residency program has to be completed in hospital settings. Under the supervision of experienced doctors. They practice in different medical fields and departments. To gain experience in diverse conditions and practices.
3. Board Certification
For independent practice, GPs have to pass an assessment process by relevant authorities. Such as RACGP, ACRRM, or others according to the region of practice. This test approves their abilities and skills. And makes sure they can carry out good medical practice.
4. Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
Even after getting certified. GPs are obliged to continue the learning process along with practice. They participate in professional development activities. Such as workshops and seminars to remain up-to-date with latest research in the field.
These extensive qualifications help them in their diverse duties. Details of which are given below.
Role of a GP in Health Care | What Does A GP Do?
General practitioner has the most diverse and crucial role in healthcare settings. They act as a bridge between patients and specialised health services. And work for the community in the following ways:
1. Routine Checkups
GPs provide routine health assessments to keep track of health status and trends. These routine procedures help identify the potential risks.
2. Screening Tests
They prescribe the required screening tests according to the health concerns faced by the patient. Screening tests are also used to identify severe conditions and manage them in the initial stages.
3. Primary Care
From a sudden stomach ache to seasonal flu, GPs diagnose and treat the daily ailments and rule out the possibility of any serious condition behind them.
4. Referral to Specialists
After providing acute care and management of symptoms, general practitioner decides about the need for specialised care and refers to the appropriate specialty.
5. Chronic Management
In the case of chronic disease, a general practitioner is responsible for keeping a record of illness and offering advice on diet, exercise, and lifestyle for better management.
6. Holistic Approach
Unlike specialists, general practitioners have versatile knowledge and hence they cater to all the health components.
They seek the broader context of illness and consider psychological, social, and environmental factors to prescribe specific treatment protocols.
7. Patient Education
An additional role of the general practitioner is to educate the patients about their conditions, prognosis, and predicted treatment outcomes.
They suggest lifestyle modifications and self-care guidelines to spread health awareness.
Importance of Having a General Practitioner
Routinely visiting a GP has many short-term and long-term benefits such as:
| Benefit | Details |
| Comprehensive Care |
GPs take a holistic approach, considering all aspects of your well-being. They provide complete check-ups, track health components. And track all environmental and psychological factors affecting your condition. |
| Personalised Service |
Regular visits build a long-term relationship with your GP. Familiarity with your health trends allows better assessments, counselling, and care. |
| Accessibility |
General practitioners are easy to access. And are a convenient primary contact for immediate concerns. Visit your GP to address symptoms or dysfunctions promptly. |
| Cost-Effectiveness |
Primary care is more affordable than specialised care and includes expert advice without additional costs. Additionally, early disease detection saves additional costs of treatment. |
Now, lets talk about different types of GPs.
6 Types of General Practitioners
1. Family Medicine Practitioners
They work in the family Medical Centres. And provide care and keep health records of all family members from birth to end of life. It helps in identifying genetic behaviors and congenital diseases in the family. And providing better personalized care.
2. Primary Care Providers
The term “primary care provider” can be used for general physicians, geriatricians, pediatricians, etc. They provide first-line health care to patients and directly deal with their concerns.
3. Internal Medicine Practitioners
Every general practitioner can’t be an internist and it requires an additional internal medicine certificate. Their training includes specialised care for patients with more complex medical problems.
4. Geriatricians
Geriatricians deal with anomalies in the aging process and issues related to advanced age. They work in nursing facilities, old age homes, hospitals, or other healthcare settings. They suggest lifestyle, diet, and activity modifications with increasing age.
5. Preventive Medicine Specialists
Preventive Medicine Specialists focus on the prevention of diseases. They provide community guidelines about preventive, screenings, and immunizations. These specialists can work in public health settings. And contribute to policies of the health sector.
6. Emergency Medicine Practitioners
Emergency Medicine Physicians are trained to deal with urgent and emergency medical situations. They work in the emergency department to stabilize the patients. Emergency medicine requires symptomatic management and first aid training.
How Much Does It Cost to See a GP?
The cost of a GP visit is generally less than a specialised care provider. The exact expense depends on your area, the type of care provided, and insurance policies, if you have any.
Since COVID-19, most GPs also offer telehealth consultation services. It means if you are their regular client but can’t reach them at the moment of concern. They will quickly solve your problem over a phone call. These consultations will be covered in bulk payments.
At Main Street Medical Centre, we aim to provide transparent and accessible pricing for all the services. Prior knowledge about the consultation fee can help you plan your visit better. And protect you from unexpected expenses.
Always check with your healthcare provider about specific costs and insurance coverage to avoid surprises.
What to Expect in a Visit to General Practitioner
A typical GP appointment lasts about 15-30 minutes. In this brief session, the practitioner will carry out the following measures:
- Initial Examination
- Medical history and symptoms
- Diagnostic tests
- Development of a treatment plan
- lifestyle suggestions
- Prescribing medication
- Advice on a follow-up or referral
To make you better prepared for the visit. We have also compiled some guidelines for you.
Things to Remember When Visiting a GP
These factors can help you gain the optimal benefits of a GP visit. So, you can be prepared, actively participate, and clear out all your concerns.
Always make sure the following things before choosing a general practitioner.
- Do the visiting hours of the practitioner comply with my schedule?
- Can I easily commute to the clinic or hospital I chose?
- What is the fee amount and can it be covered by my health insurance?
- Do they actively listen to my complaints and provide a comfortable environment?
- Is the process of appointment easy enough for me? Do they offer home visits?
- What are the reviewers of other patients about this practitioner?
- Is the hospital or clinic accredited by a trusted source?
So you can choose a qualified practitioner for your healthcare needs.
Conclusion
Understanding the role and services of General Practitioners (GPs) will help you make better healthcare decisions. GPs are responsible for managing your overall health status. From routine check-ups to chronic condition management.
Their broad knowledge and diverse expertise help you in receiving comprehensive and personalized care. Always choose a qualified and easily accessible general practitioner. To save the troubles later.
Want to Find and Book A GP Near Perth?
Visit Main Street Medical Centre for Reliable and Comprehensive Healthcare Facilities
At Main Street Medical Centre, we are dedicated to providing expert clinical care. Through our experienced general practitioners and easily accessible services.
Accredited by the Australian General Practice Accreditation Limited (AGPAL). We are one of the most trusted Medical Centres in Perth. Our trusted, credible, and personalised treatment plan caters to your individual needs and concerns.
So, if you are searching for “family practice near me”.
Don’t wait.
