A general practitioner, or GP, can help patients with acute and chronic health conditions. They can provide referrals to specialists and other healthcare providers, as well. Learn about the many services you can find at a general practitioner’s office.
General practitioners are often referred to as primary care providers, or PCPs, as they serve as a patient’s main point of contact for a variety of healthcare services. Depending on their practice, they may help only adult patients (e.g., practicing in internal medicine) or patients of all ages (i.e., those with a family practice). Either way, they will provide the service a patient needs or connect them with a specialist who can. Often, specialists require that patients visit a GP first and obtain a referral before booking an appointment.
Seeing a specialist is not always necessary. In fact, many patients find that all their healthcare needs are met with a visit to their general practitioner. Below are some of the most common services offered by a GP:
A general practitioner can conduct various routine examinations to prevent healthcare issues or diagnose them early. The most common routine exams are those constituting an annual physical examination. During a physical, a GP can examine heart and lung function, reflexes, and general neurological health. They will also check weight, height, and vital signs such as blood pressure and pulse rate. While they do not take blood tests themselves, they can order blood work to examine internal organ health.
GPs can ensure the patient is up to date on their immunizations. This is crucial for patients of school and college age, as attending a large institution creates the perfect breeding ground for diseases from meningococcal disease to the flu. A general practitioner can also administer immunizations or have a nurse practitioner administer them on the same day as the appointment.
A GP can provide care for patients with treatable conditions, such as urinary tract infections, conjunctivitis (pink eye), and chlamydia, among others. They can prescribe medication and antibiotics to fight infections, stopping many conditions (including those listed) in their tracks.
In addition, they can diagnose and treat bone fractures and common sprains and strains. Often, this will involve taking an X-ray to confirm the injury, then providing a cast, arm spring, walking booth, or similar medical device to protect the area as it heals.
If the patient visited the general practitioner about a treatable condition, the GP will likely recommend a follow-up visit. During these visits, the GP can confirm whether the condition has resolved or if an injury is healing well. Further, they can help with any new symptoms or issues the patient has concerning their condition.
General practitioners help patients manage chronic illnesses, from diabetes to chronic back pain. The GP may take routine tests to ensure the condition is not progressing and, if it is, provide treatments to slow or stop that progression. They can prescribe medications, discuss accommodations for the patient, and refer them to a specialist for the condition, such as a cardiovascular specialist for heart disease or a psychiatrist for mental disorders.
A general practitioner serves as the primary point of contact for all sorts of health conditions and concerns. If you have been dealing with a health concern, whether new or chronic, contact our team for an appointment. Alternatively, we can help schedule routine exams.
Request an appointment here: https://campmedicine.org or call Center for Adult Medicine and Preventive Care at (973) 859-9165 for an appointment in our Passaic office.
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