![general practitioner general practitioner](https://image.shutterstock.com/image-photo/doctor-using-stethoscope-listen-senior-260nw-1816602488.jpg)
The ongoing relationship that GPs are able to establish with their patients and being able to offer continuity of care is one of the most important and enjoyable aspects of the job.
![general practitioner general practitioner](https://www.getdoc.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/article-2508213-1A43B868000005DC-125_634x424.jpg)
GPs see patients of all ages from newborn babies to elderly people. GPs also have a vital role to play in safeguarding vulnerable children and adults, and involving appropriate agencies. This can include clinics for child immunisations and smoking cessation as well as advice on lifestyle during the GP consultation. They meet regularly to discuss cases and plan joint approaches to co-ordinate packages of care.Īnother important part of the work is preventative medicine and health promotion. GPs work as part of large multidisciplinary teams (MDTs) who all support the holistic care of any patient and these can include nurses, midwives, health visitors, pharmacists, physician associates, psychiatrists and care of the elderly specialists. In these cases the GP will provide life-saving treatment until an ambulance and further help arrives. Patients may occasionally attend the GP surgery with an urgent life-threatening condition, such as anaphylaxis (severe allergic reaction) or an asthma attack. They are trained to spot the signs of “red flag” symptoms, which might indicate a serious problem requiring further investigation and which needs to be acted on promptly. These can include x-rays, blood tests or referring on for a second opinion. Alternatively they may refer the patient for further tests to confirm a diagnosis or as part of an on-going management plan.
![general practitioner general practitioner](https://www.betterteam.com/images/Betterteam-general-practitioner-job-boards-6000x4000-2021053.jpeg)
These can include giving reassurance, giving the patient information, advising on a certain course of action or prescribing medication. Up to 40 % of a doctors consulting can now be done over the telephone, rather than in face to face encounters and the shift to using different media is likely to expand in the future.ĭepending on their examination and diagnosis the GP has several management options which they will discuss with the patient as they develop a shared and agreed plan. GPs look for patterns of symptoms to indicate or rule out different conditions. They also use their own knowledge to assess the likelihood of a certain illness being present over another. As anything can come through the door, they make swift and effective decisions based on the presenting symptoms, and the patient’s current and previous medical history. In the community they may run clinics in schools and in residential and nursing care homes.Ī typical GP appointment is scheduled to last for ten minutes, during which time the GP needs to assess the patient. GPs occasionally work as part of teams attached to hospitals with roles in accident and emergency centres, discharge planning and in unscheduled care (such as urgent care centres). There are over 1.3 million GP consultations every day, most of which take place in a GP surgery or within the patient’s home. This is becoming more important with terminally ill patients often choosing to stay at home. Looking after the whole person - the physical, emotional, social, spiritual, cultural and economic aspects through patient-centred approaches is a vital part of any GP’s role. GPs are often the first point of contact for anyone with a physical or mental health problem and patients can be at their most anxious. GPs look after patients with chronic illness, with the aim to keep people in their own homes and ensuring they are as well as they possibly can be. They are part of a much wider team whose role includes promoting, preventing and initiating treatment. General practitioners have an important role in looking after patients in their homes and within the communities where they live.