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Further Understanding the Functions and Duties of General Practitioners

General practitioner is a term used for doctors who focus on the treatment of health problems and general symptoms experienced by patients. A general practitioner is also known as a first-rate service doctor, where the general practitioner plays a role in providing prevention, diagnosis, and initial treatment, and refers to a specialist if necessary. In general, the basic difference between general practitioners and specialists is the provision of comprehensive health services to patients. In addition, general practitioners also play an important role in providing early and ongoing medical care to patients of all age groups. In the community, a general practitioner can work in a puskesmas, hospital, or private clinic. Not infrequently, general practitioners are often involved in various other medical disciplines (multidisciplinary) to support the healing of patients.

Ability of General Practitioners

Here are the standard capabilities that must be possessed by a general practitioner:
  • Having anamnesis expertise (medical interview) to his patients. It aims to find out complaints of illness experienced and other information relating to the disease.
  • Having expertise in conducting general physical examinations, in order to diagnose and determine treatments that are appropriate to the patient's needs.
  • Can prescribe medicines based on the patient's illness.
  • Able to provide vaccinations and perform wound care.
  • Can provide education or counseling regarding maintenance of good health.
  • Able to carry out basic medical rehabilitation in patients and the community in order to prevent further complications of the disease.
  • Able to do simple supporting examinations, such as urine and blood tests, and interpret the results of these tests.
  • Being able to propose other supporting tests, for example X-ray examination, based on symptoms experienced by the patient.
  • Can take precautions and help direct patients to want to live a healthy lifestyle.
  • Responsible for referring patients to the appropriate specialist doctor.
Not only that, general practitioners are also required to be able to manage resources and facilities in their workplaces, be able to provide first aid to emergency patients, and can perform minor surgery (minor surgery).

Diseases That Can Be Treated by General Practitioners

The following is a list of diseases and conditions that can be treated by general practitioners, including:
  • Acute respiratory infections, such as colds, strep throat, tonsils, and laryngitis.
  • Diseases of the lungs, such as pneumonia, asthma, uncomplicated pulmonary tuberculosis, and acute bronchitis.
  • Travel sickness.
  • Febrile convulsion.
  • Migraine, headache, and vertigo.
  • Hypertension.
  • Joint and muscle pain.
  • Sleep disorders (insomnia).
  • Eye diseases, such as conjunctivitis and dry eyes.
  • Ear infections, such as otitis externa.
  • Allergic rhinitis and acute rhinitis.
  • Bacterial, fungal, and parasitic infections.
  • Sexually transmitted diseases, such as gonorrhea.
  • Digestive problems, such as stomach acid disease, gastritis, diarrhea, and constipation.
  • Typhoid fever.
  • Food allergies, food intolerance, and food poisoning.
  • Anaphylactic reaction.
  • Urinary tract infections (UTI).
  • Breast infection (mastitis).
  • Metabolic diseases, including diabetes, high cholesterol, gout, malnutrition, and obesity.
  • Iron deficiency (anemia).
  • Skin problems, such as irritant contact dermatitis, atopic eczema, hives, lice, scabies, and fungal infections of the skin.
There are also other diseases that cannot be treated thoroughly by general practitioners, such as meningitis, epilepsy, acute glaucoma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or heart failure. But in those cases, the general practitioner is responsible for providing initial care and ensuring the patient's condition is stable and preventing complications from continuing. In daily practice, patients suffering from these diseases will be referred by a general practitioner to a specialist doctor for proper treatment.

What Must Be Prepared Before Meeting General Practitioners

To get the most out of your visit to a general practitioner, you should prepare the following things:
  • Write down the various symptoms that you feel in detail before meeting a general practitioner. This is intended to make it easier for doctors to diagnose the disease you are suffering from.
  • Make a list of other questions related to the condition you are experiencing. In addition, look for information about the history of the disease that may be suffered by your family members.
  • Write down the medicines you are taking, including vitamin supplements, herbal medicines or other medical drugs. And if there is an allergic reaction to it.
  • Bring all the inspection reports that you have had before.
  • Also make sure you bring a health insurance card, to make it easier when you do the administrative process at the clinic, health center, or hospital.
  • Invite a family member or friend to accompany you when meeting with a GP.
In addition, use the best possible time when meeting a general practitioner to ask for an explanation related to the health conditions and symptoms that you are feeling specifically. To speed up the healing process, follow all the advice given by your GP to you.

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