These factors were examined in the extent that they interfere with time available for direct patient care. Some aspects of health care policies and reforms involved in this study include primary health care teams, blended payment systems, coordination of care and cost containment. Halvorsen et al (2003), analyzed the activities and preferences of general care practitioners in various countries including Canada, the UK, Netherlands, and Norway, and compared them to the health care policy and reform requirements of each respective country. Qualities of primary care include provision of personal and personalized health care, knowledge of patients’ values and preferences, and patient trust that GPs will secure the appropriate care that they need (Halvorsen et al, 2003). General physicians today seek to promote both emotional and physical well-being by educating patients on healthy lifestyles, encouraging good habits and helping end bad ones such as smoking and overeating, according to the American Medical Association (AMA).Ī study of general practitioners and their daily activities was performed by a group of Norwegian scientists in 2003 with the goal of identifying the areas general practitioners spent most of their time, and areas they would prefer to focus their time. General physicians diagnose, treat and manage a wide range of conditions, including sprains, infections and the flu, and determine if the condition warrants a specialist or more intensive care. Most general practitioners work in private practices or clinics with a small staff of nurses and administrators, or they may be part of a large group practice with other general practitioners or a health maintenance group (HMO). Specialists receive additional education and training in a specific area of medicine, for example, cardiology, neurology, or oncology).Įducation and encouragement are also part of a general practitioner’s activities, typically in healthy lifestyles, physical, emotional and mental health and good habits. When serious health conditions or other needs for specialized care are identified, the general practitioner refers them to the respective specialist in the required field. Generalists can identify a wide range of diseases and disorders, for example, influenza, strep throat, muscle sprains and bone fractures. General practitioners typically have long-term relationships with their patients, and their patients range from infants to the elderly. They perform routine health examinations such as physical exams and immunizations as well. A general practitioner, also known as a generalist, physician or family physician, does not specialize in one specific area of medicine instead, they provide care for a variety of health conditions, illnesses and injuries. Physicians play a fundamental role in the care of the US population (Guteirrez and Scheid, 2002).
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