The Roles of a General Physician in Modern Healthcare
- Admin
- 22 January, 2024
Healthcare is one of the most sensitive sectors out there in terms of the patients as well as the professionals involved in it. People seeking medical care cannot afford to take things lightly and choose mediocre services. As it deals with people’s lives, the sector has significantly improved over time, making it easier for patients to recover and lead healthy lives.
The roles of a general physician in modern healthcare are varied and critical. From being the first points of contact for patients to treating critical health conditions, these doctors have given millions of people new leases on their lives! Although most general physicians do not perform extensive surgeries and handle life-threatening cases, it is impossible for any country’s healthcare system to function without them. Upon experiencing even slight symptoms of an illness, the first thing people do is make searches like “general physicians near me ” on Google!
In this blog, we will discuss who these healthcare professionals are, which conditions they tackle, and why you should consult one to get better.
Let’s start with the basics.
General physicians are doctors who specialize in a specific field but are capable of tackling a wide range of illnesses. Also called general practitioners, they dabble in multiple areas, including primary care, emergency care, sanitization, pathology, physical examinations, and more. They are the “Jacks of all trades” who will always have the right remedies for most health complications.
A general physician is often the first doctor a patient would see unless their symptoms are so severe that they see a specialist directly. Patients may also go to general physicians if they sense that something is wrong with their health. In such cases, the healthcare professionals will examine the patients and pinpoint what is wrong with them.
Most “family doctors” for people across India are general physicians. They often have long-term relationships with their patients and their families that often last forever. These doctors are the first ones people call when they (or anyone in their families) do not feel well. With technological advancements, general physicians have also started offering services like Doctor on Call, preventing their patients from leaving their homes for consultations.
Now that we know who a general physician is, let us have a look at some of the most common health conditions they look into:
General physicians are often the go-to options for tackling respiratory issues like cold, cough, influenza, pneumonia, bronchitis, sinusitis, asthma, and more.
Patients also consult general physicians during the initial stages of several cardiovascular conditions. Some of these issues include high blood pressure, heart palpitations, high cholesterol, and more. If the symptoms persist or get more severe, your physician will ask you to consult a cardiologist.
A few common digestive system complications tackled by general physicians include gastrointestinal infections, diarrhea, constipation, gastritis, irritable bowel syndrome, and more.
These are the health conditions affecting your endocrine system and hormones. General physicians provide medical care to patients suffering from diabetes (type 1 and 2), hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, and other hormonal imbalances.
Patients often go to general physicians before approaching the right orthopedic doctors for various musculoskeletal system issues. Some of these complications include back pain, arthritis, strains, joint pain, osteoporosis, sprains, etc.
You can also approach your general physician to look into skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis, rashes, acne, and more. They may ask you to seek a dermatologist’s help if the matter at hand gets more serious.
General physicians often provide primary care for infectious conditions like STDs (sexually transmitted diseases), urinary tract infections, skin infections, and more.
General physicians also provide their patients with preventive medical care, helping them with vaccination, regular health check-ups, lifestyle counseling, and much more.
Many general physicians cater to child patients and handle issues like development disorders, vaccinations, and other relevant health complications.
The simple answer to this question is that you should consult a general physician when you experience symptoms of a specific condition or general discomfort in terms of health. Unless the matter is severe, you can approach a physician and seek their advice.
However, here are a few common tasks a general physician is equipped to perform:
In most cases, the first call a patient (or their loved one) makes it to a general physician. Here are a few reasons why consulting a general physician is beneficial to you and your family members:
General physicians offer comprehensive medical care to all their patients. As long as the issue at hand falls under their purview, they will diagnose and treat it. These healthcare professionals possess immense knowledge about a wide range of health conditions. This makes them look after their patients’ holistic well-being.
Looking for a new doctor every time you fall ill can be a challenge. General physicians often develop long-lasting relationships with their patients. As they can handle a plethora of issues, you can consult them whenever you do not feel well. Moreover, a healthy and long-term relationship helps both parties develop trust. You can always rely on the advice your family doctor gives because they know what is best for you.
If the symptoms get more severe or if they think you need a specialist’s help, general physicians will lead you to the right healthcare professionals. For example, if your physician measures your blood pressure and thinks you may have a serious cardiovascular disease, they will link you to the best cardiologist in their opinion.
General physicians look after their patients’ long-term health by offering efficient preventive care. For example, if you have had a child, your physician will inform you about all the vaccines required at different stages of their life.
Along with consultations and diagnoses, general physicians also give personalized advice to their patients. This advice may range from dietary recommendations to tips to lead a healthy life. Thanks to the long-term relationships they build with their patients, general physicians tend to get friendly with their advice and assistance.
Especially if you have been seeking medical care from them for a long time, it is easy to gain access to a general physician. Many doctors also provide Doctor on Call services to their patients, allowing them to receive consultations from the comfort of their homes. Developing a relationship with a general physician is like having 24/7 access to a qualified healthcare professional.
As they are the first contact points for most patients, general physicians do not charge a lot for their consultations. If you are not suffering from severe health complications, you will not be paying expensive bills with a general physician.
General physician consultations are not limited to diagnosing illnesses and recommending clinical treatment for the same. They also provide comprehensive health counseling to their patients. Many people seek their physicians’ assistance in matters related to diet, exercise, stress, anxiety, and much more. These healthcare professionals help their patients take control of their own lives and stay healthy for a long time.
Instead of sitting on symptoms for too long and going directly to a specialized doctor when things get worse, a general physician helps you detect problems on time. Most illnesses can be treated in a hassle-free way if they are detected early. Physicians help you do the same, saving you time, energy, and your well-being.
Most patients visit general physicians located near them. This gives them access to the right local resources. From hospitals and specialists to pharmacies and support groups, these doctors will provide you with the best resources according to your condition and preferences.
If you are seeking medical care from a general physician, we help you do so from the comfort of your home. Docville gives you access to some of the most qualified general physicians in Mumbai. Whether you need home nursing services our team helps you receive quick and holistic care. Docville aims to make remote healthcare quicker, more accessible, and highly efficient. From long-term home nursing care to virtual consultation, we bring the expertise of general physicians right to your doorstep!