The Roles of a General Physician in Akshar Hospital
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.
Health is for happiness, health is for joy, and health is for achieving goals, achieving the goal is growth. This philosophy has made us believe in “Health is for Growth”.
Dr. Nilesh Makani
Which Health Conditions Does A General Physician Look Into?
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:
Respiratory Issues
General physicians are often the go-to options for tackling respiratory issues like cold, cough, influenza, pneumonia, bronchitis, sinusitis, asthma, and more.
Cardiovascular Conditions
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..
Endocrine Issues
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.
Issues with the Musculoskeletal System
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.
Skin Conditions
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.
Infections
General physicians often provide primary care for infectious conditions like STDs (sexually transmitted diseases), urinary tract infections, skin infections, and more.
Preventive Medical Care
General physicians also provide their patients with preventive medical care, helping them with vaccination, regular health check-ups, lifestyle counseling, and much more.
Childhood Health Complications
Many general physicians cater to child patients and handle issues like development disorders, vaccinations, and other relevant health complications.
When Should You Consult A General Physician?
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:
- Conducting physical assessment and recording symptoms
- Conducting diagnostic tests like blood test, X-ray test, etc.
- Offering primary healthcare during emergencies
- Giving anesthesia before surgeries
- Scheduling follow-ups and making relevant assessments
- Analyzing diagnostic tests and recommending the right course of action
- Prescribing over-the-counter or special medications according to the patient’s condition
- Offering home nursing services
- Providing personalized healthcare counseling and emotional support to patients and their families
Benefits of Consulting a General Physician
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:
You Receive Holistic Medical Care
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.
Building Long-lasting Relationships
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.
A Link to Specialists
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.
Efficient Preventive Care
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.
Personalized Advice
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.
High Accessibility
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.
Cost-effective Medical Assistance
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.
Personalized Health Counselling
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.
Timely Detection of a Problem
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.
Access To Local Resources
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.