General Practitioners: Their Roles in the Medical Field

Doctor on the phone

A private GP is a medical practitioner who handles acute and chronic medical and surgical problems. These doctors offer preventive care and educational health to all their patients.  Their precise role differs depending on the country where they practice their profession. For instance, in urban centers of developed nations, their responsibilities focus more on the treatment and care of acute non-life-threatening medical problems. They’re also adept in detecting diseases early and providing proper referral for specialized care to different medical or surgical specialties. To learn more about the scope of their work, here’s a brief discussion from ROC Private Clinic:

Doctor on the phone

Community Health Leaders

In rural regions, general practitioners tend to take a more active role in the health and well-being of the community where they belong. Part of their job is to provide pre-hospital emergency treatment and deliver babies. If they’re in a community hospital setting, they can perform some minor surgical procedures. Depending on the type of health care system where they belong, GPs may be leaders of the healthcare team or they can work independently as private practitioners. They play an important role in the health of the community, as they’re usually the first health care provider whom people go to.

The designation of GPs is used more often in the United Kingdom, Ireland, and other countries in the Commonwealth. The term physician is usually reserved for doctors who practice Internal Medicine.

Cases that GPs Deal With

As GPs, it’s uncommon to see an entire gamut of medical or surgical problems during the course of their practice. They undergo training in pediatrics and obstetrics, so they’re also quite skilled in handling diseases of children, give prenatal care, and even perform uncomplicated deliveries. They have a trained eye to detect problems that may require specialized care, so they can refer their patients to the right specialists. As part of their preventive care, they provide their patients the necessary vaccines to avoid life-threatening diseases.

About Eleanor Sharp
Eleanor Sharp is the author of AGSE Law. As a paralegal, she has worked with attorneys in many fields to ensure their clients get the best advice and representation. She is passionate about helping people understand the complexities of the legal system so they can make better decisions for themselves. Eleanor loves reading, travel, and spending time with her family. She hopes her articles will help others navigate life’s legal intricacies with confidence.