When health-related concerns arise, a general practitioner is the first point of contact. They are your go-to health professionals who keep track of routine ailments and health trends and refer to specialised care when needed.
The general practitioner has a crucial and versatile role in the healthcare system. He provides an empathetic companion to your health journey and monitors all internal and external factors affecting your well-being.
Main Street Medical Centre 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.
Unlike specialists who concentrate on specific services, GPs are skilled in diagnosing, treating, and preventing common ailments and refer to the concerned specialists when required.
They provide routine checkups and management of acute and chronic conditions.
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 the latest researches in the field.
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:
1. Comprehensive Care
GPs take a holistic approach and consider all aspects of your well-being. You can get a complete checkup and track your health components.
He advises you about all the environmental and psychological factors related to your condition.
2. Personalised Service
Regular visits will build a long-term relationship with your practitioner.
When your doctor is well aware of your health trends, he can provide better health assessment, counseling, and personalized care.
3. Accessibility
General practitioners are easier to access and provide you with a convenient primary contact in case of immediate concern or query.
Whenever you feel any symptom or dysfunction in any system, visit your nearest GP and timely resolve it.
4. Cost-Effectiveness
In addition to accessibility, primary care is also more affordable than specialised care and provides you with expert advice without extra cost.
It also saves cost and effort by catching the disease in its early stages and streamlining the management.
Types of General Practitioners
1. Family Medicine Practitioners
Family practice includes providing care and keeping health records of all family members. It helps in identifying genetic behaviors and congenital diseases in the family. Family practitioners are responsible for the health assessment of all family members, from birth to end of life.
Family Medicine Doctors can easily build long-term relationships with their patients. Hence, they are able to offer better-personalized care for the whole family.
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 also 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 handle urgent and emergency medical situations. They are trained to deal with a wide range of severe emergent conditions. They provide immediate care 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
7 Things to Consider When Visiting a GP
To gain the optimal benefits of a GP visit, you have to be prepared, actively participate, and clear out all your concerns. Before choosing a general practitioner for your routine visits, make sure that:
- 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?
Conclusion
Understanding the role and services of General Practitioners (GPs) is essential to make better decisions about your healthcare. 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. Whether you want to learn about preventive measures or discuss the ongoing treatment process, a GP is your first line of defense in maintaining health and well-being.
If you need any health assessment or a routine check-up and 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 provide you with a trusted, credible, and personalised treatment plan designed specifically according to your individual needs and concerns.
For more information, visit Main Street Medical Centre.
