FAQs for General Practitioners ?
What is a General Practitioner?
A general practitioner (GP) focuses on your overall physical and mental health, treating common medical conditions and performing routine exams. They may refer you to specialists if needed.
What does a General Practitioner do?
GPs provide acute, chronic, and preventive care, including physical exams, diagnosing and treating illnesses, prescribing medications, and offering health counseling.
What training does a General Practitioner have?
GPs undergo 7 to 15 years of training, including a bachelor’s degree, medical school, and a residency program. They may be certified by boards like the American Board of Family Medicine.
What services do General Practitioners offer?
GPs offer immunizations, routine exams, screening tests, health risk assessments, mental health checks, chronic illness care, specialist referrals, and follow-up care.
Can a General Practitioner refer me to a specialist?
Yes, GPs refer patients to specialists for conditions that require advanced care or specialized knowledge.
How do GPs support preventive care?
GPs focus on keeping patients healthy through immunizations, health education, routine screenings, and managing risk factors for diseases.
What’s the difference between a GP and an internist?
GPs care for patients of all ages, often including obstetrics, while internists focus on adult patients and complex medical issues but do not provide obstetric care.
Are General Practitioners the same as primary care providers?
Yes, GPs are primary care providers, offering first and ongoing contact for all health-related issues and coordinating care with specialists when necessary.
What are the costs of seeing a General Practitioner ?
Consultation fees for GPs vary, typically ranging from R300 to R800 per visit, depending on GP.
Can General Practitioners provide online services?
Yes, Some GPs can offer consultations via phone or video call, allowing patients to receive care remotely.
What other GP costs can I expect to pay?
In addition to the consultation fee, you may need to pay medication costs when given prescription, some doctors do provide some medication especially for simple illnesses like flu.