What is the role of a general practitioner?

The role of a general practitioner primarily involves diagnosing and treating common health problems, which encompasses a broad range of health issues rather than specializing in a specific area. General practitioners (GPs) serve as the first point of contact for patients and are responsible for providing comprehensive healthcare services. This includes not only addressing immediate health concerns but also preventive care, regular check-ups, and managing overall patient health.

They are trained to handle various conditions and can perform minor procedures, offer wellness advice, and refer patients to specialists if needed. This versatility is what makes them integral to the healthcare system, ensuring continuity of care for patients across different stages of their health.

Specializing in surgical procedures is more applicable to surgeons or specialists, while providing emergency care is specific to emergency medical practitioners. Focusing solely on chronic disease management is a more niche aspect of healthcare and not representative of the broader scope general practitioners cover in their practice.