General Practice

What is General Practice?

General Practice (GP) is the first port of call for most people when they are feeling unwell or have an injury. GPs are trained to deal with a wide range of health problems and can refer patients to specialists if necessary.

GPs usually have a good working knowledge of the local healthcare system and can offer advice on a range of topics, such as where to go for specialist treatment, how to access social care services, or what benefits you may be entitled to.

If you have a long-term health condition, such as diabetes or asthma, your GP will be your key point of contact and will work with you to manage your condition. They will also carry out regular health checks, such as blood pressure checks and cervical smears, to help prevent problems from developing or becoming worse.

GPs are usually based in surgeries, which are usually open from 8am to 6pm, although some offer extended opening hours. You can usually make an appointment to see a GP, although some surgeries offer a walk-in service where you can be seen without an appointment.

If you need to see a GP outside of normal surgery hours, you can contact your local out-of-hours service. This is a service that provides medical care when your GP surgery is closed. You can find the contact details for your local out-of-hours service on your GP surgery's website.

In an emergency, you should call 999.

What are the challenges of General Practice?

There are many challenges that General Practitioners (GPs) face in healthcare. One of the biggest challenges is the increasing demand for GP services. This is due to the ageing population and the fact that people are living longer with chronic conditions. This means that GPs are seeing more patients with complex health needs.

Another challenge facing GPs is the lack of resources. This includes things like funding, staff and time. GPs are often working long hours and are under a lot of pressure to see patients quickly. This can make it difficult to provide high-quality care.

Another challenge is the increasing number of patients who are on multiple medications. This can make it difficult to manage patients’ medication regimes and to avoid drug interactions.

Finally, GPs also face the challenge of keeping up to date with the latest medical research and developments. This is a difficult task as there is a lot of new information being published all the time. GPs need to be able to critically appraise this research and decide if and how it can be applied to their practice.

What are the benefits of General Practice?

There are many benefits to having a General Practitioner (GP) in healthcare. A GP is a doctor who provides primary care services to patients of all ages. They are trained to diagnose and treat a wide range of conditions, and can refer patients to specialists if necessary.

GPs are usually the first point of contact for patients when they have a health concern. This means that they play an important role in preventing and managing health problems. GPs can provide advice on a wide range of health issues, and can help patients to make healthy lifestyle choices.

GPs also play a key role in coordinating care for patients with chronic or complex health conditions. They work closely with other health professionals, such as specialists, nurses and pharmacists, to ensure that patients receive the best possible care.

There are many other benefits of having a GP, such as:

• GPs can provide continuity of care – this means that they get to know their patients well, and can provide long-term care and support.

• GPs can offer personalised care – they take into account each patient’s individual circumstances and needs.

• GPs can provide a comprehensive service – they can offer a wide range of services, including health promotion, disease prevention, and diagnosis and treatment of illness.

• GPs can offer convenient care – they are usually located close to where patients live, and can offer appointments at times that suit patients.

If you are looking for healthcare that is tailored to your individual needs, then a GP is a great option. To find a GP near you, visit the Australian Medical Association website.