In developed countries, most medical problems are solved on a primary outpatient admission of a general practitioner. Family doctor helps to save not only the time of patients, but also money. In many cases, he is able to replace doctors of a narrow profile and even an emergency team.
General practitioner - who is this?
Visiting the hospital with any symptoms, a person tries to get to the therapist first. In this case, patients rarely ask: a general practitioner is someone in the clinic. The family specialist also conducts reception in medical institutions, but the scope of his activity is more extensive. Thanks to the advice of such a doctor, you can quickly establish a diagnosis without unnecessary instrumental and laboratory research.
Therapist and general practitioner is the difference
A qualified family doctor is a multidisciplinary specialist with knowledge in all fields of medicine. The main thing, how the therapist differs from a general practitioner, is the scope of his work. The responsibilities of the family specialist include more points. Unlike the therapist, the described doctor can perform the simplest diagnostic and therapeutic manipulations, his equipment is equipped in his office.
General practitioner - qualification
The examined specialist first receives a basic higher medical education. Not all patients understand what "general practitioner" means, confusing him with a therapist. Such a doctor has an advanced qualification. To receive it after a basic diploma and internship, you must finish the residency in the specialty "Family Medicine (General Practice)". Employees of hospitals, who received higher education prior to the introduction of this qualification, can undergo accelerated primary retraining.
Where can a general practitioner work?
A family doctor is a universal specialty that allows you to work in both public and private clinics. While the work of a general practitioner is not valued in terms of material compensation, many experienced professionals open their own reception rooms. Some doctors only deal with individual counseling of one or more families.
Equipment of a general practitioner's office
The described specialist can perform various diagnostic and therapeutic manipulations. The family doctor has not only a phonendoscope, thermometer and a tonometer, but also other devices. The standard in the doctor's office should be all the necessary furniture for the work of a specialist, nurse and the following equipment:
- portable electrocardiograph;
- defibrillator;
- express analyzers of urine, glucose level, cholesterol, cardiomarkers in the blood;
- Smokey;
- pulse oximeter;
- equipment for measuring physical indicators (scales, a rostometer, a stopwatch, a pedometer, a medical tuning fork and others);
- negatoscope;
- spirometer;
- apparatus for artificial ventilation;
- pikfluometer;
- Tonometer for measuring the pressure of the fundus;
- sterilizers;
- kit for conicotomy;
- dynamometers;
- Breathalyzer;
- gynecological set, armchair;
- otolaryngological devices (tongue-holder, rotor-expander, guttural forceps and others);
- tracheotomy kit;
- ophthalmoscope;
- equipment for primary trauma and surgical care (stretchers, wooden shield, crutches, ice bladder and others);
- otorinoscope;
- styling;
- oxygen inhaler;
- aspirator;
- bactericidal irradiator;
- neurological equipment (hammer, light guide);
- breathing tubes and apparatus;
- Sterile scalpels and other devices.
What does the general practitioner do?
A qualified family doctor is engaged in providing all types of medical care on an outpatient basis. If a patient treats a pathology that is not included in the list of what the general practitioner treats, he is referred to a specialized specialist. The doctor monitors all stages of diagnosis and therapy of his "ward", as necessary, makes adjustments.
General practitioner - job duties
Family medicine assumes a long systematic observation of the patients' condition, organization of consultations of specialized doctors and laboratory studies, inpatient treatment and prevention of diseases. The main duties of a GP:
- collection of detailed anamnesis of all family members;
- careful examination of patients using objective medical methods;
- definition of special studies and analyzes;
- establishing diagnosis;
- entering all information in a personal card;
- the appointment of an effective treatment, referral to hospitalization as needed;
- identification of risk factors for development or exacerbation of chronic pathologies;
- vaccination ;
- registration of medical documentation (outpatient, sanatorium-resort card, certificates, sick leave card and others);
- conducting pregnancy (rarely, more often it is engaged in the gynecologist together with the family doctor);
- first aid and consultations.
Required tests
The doctor of family medicine recommends mainly standard laboratory tests. After the initial admission, the doctor appoints:
- general analysis of blood and urine;
- bacteriological culture ;
- immunological and biochemical blood test ;
- bacterioscopy;
- biochemistry of urine.
If the basic set of tests is not enough, the family specialist directs to additional examinations:
- hormonal panel;
- a blood test for sugar;
- detection of oncomarkers ;
- virology;
- analysis for helminthic invasion;
- cytology and others.
Types of diagnostics
There are many manipulations performed by the family doctor - duties include:
- listening to heart and respiratory tract sounds;
- examination of lymph nodes;
- percussion of the back and chest;
- examination of the ears, larynx, nose;
- palpation of the digestive and urinary system;
- gynecological examinations;
- diagnostics of the state of the musculoskeletal system;
- examination of the organs of vision;
- neurological examination and other diagnostic procedures.
When to see a GP?
The reason for consultation with a family specialist can be any change in the state of health or physical condition, including pregnancy. The general practitioner will not only put a preliminary diagnosis and give valuable recommendations, but also develop an effective individual treatment regimen. If the detected disease is outside its sphere of competence, the patient is sent to specialists of the appropriate narrow profile, a list of necessary laboratory tests is provided.
A family experienced doctor will help with the following symptoms:
- high body temperature;
- rash on the skin;
- digestive disorders;
- pain syndrome of any intensity and localization;
- chronic fatigue;
- insomnia;
- deterioration of visual acuity or hearing;
- the appearance of new moles or change the appearance of the existing nevi;
- shortness of breath, difficulty breathing;
- dizziness, decreased concentration of attention;
- cough, hoarseness of voice;
- nasal congestion;
- sharp jumps in blood pressure;
- deterioration of working capacity;
- causeless loss or unreasonable weight gain;
- thirst, dry mouth;
- tingling in the limbs, numbness;
- limitation of mobility of the back, limbs;
- neuroses;
- depressive episodes and other signs.
Doctor's advice
In addition to treating existing diseases, the family specialist cares about the prevention of the occurrence of pathologies. Standard physician advice includes basic recommendations for maintaining a maximally healthy and full-fledged lifestyle:
- Get enough sleep. It is advisable to go to rest not later than 22-23 hours. The total sleep time is 8-10 hours.
- Balanced eat. The diet should contain vitamins, proteins, minerals, amino acids and carbohydrates. It is important to satisfy the daily need of the body for energy.
- To give time for physical activity. Recommended by the family doctor at least - five-ten-minute charge in the morning.
- Avoid emotional overload. Stress has a negative impact not only on the psychological state, but also worsens the immune system.
- Timely treat chronic diseases. If sluggish pathologies are present, it is important to prevent their recurrence, strictly adhering to the preventive courses of therapy prescribed by the family doctor.
- Regularly visit scheduled inspections. It is advisable to undergo a full medical examination once a year, to consult with a dentist, gynecologist every 6 months.