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Types of Doctors - General Practitioners

General practitioners are medical doctors who diagnose and treat most types of health conditions or diseases and do not specialize in any particular area of medicine. They provide basic medical service for people of all age groups and both sexes. General practitioners usually complete a one- to two-year residency following medical school. There is no board certification for general practitioners. General practitioners are typically thought of as family doctors. They treat colds and other ailments as well as help diagnose and manage chronic health problems, such as high blood pressure and diabetes. A general practitioner must be licensed in the state where they practice, but there is no board certification for general practice doctors.

General practitioners are often the first line of defense when a more serious health problem develops. A patient complaining of fatigue or shortness of breath will visit their family practitioner for a diagnosis. The general practitioner must then determine what medical tests should be run to make a diagnosis for the patient.

What Role Does A General Practitioner Play in Treating Mesothelioma?

The general practitioner is often the person that makes the initial diagnosis of mesothelioma in a patient. The symptoms of mesothelioma are vague and can be confused with a variety of other lung ailments or even brushed off as a side effect of the aging process. The general practitioner will order a chest x-ray or CT scan to make a diagnosis of mesothelioma.

Once the diagnosis of mesothelioma is made, the general practice doctor will typically refer the patient to an oncologist. The oncologist, or cancer specialist, will take over care and direct the course of treatment.

While the oncologist will take the lead in the treatment for mesothelioma, there are many other doctors that may become involved. Having a familiar face can be very comforting. Patients that want to keep their general practitioner involved must simply mention it to the oncologist's medical staff (who will ensure medical records are shared).

Finding the Right General Practitioner

Throughout a lifetime people likely visit many specialists. Whether during joyous times such as pregnancy or childbirth, or more stressful times, such as during treatment for cancer. As the field of medicine becomes even more advanced, these specialties become even more focused. By choosing a general practitioner to oversee basic health care, patients can have one doctor that knows their medical history and personality.

Many people do not have a family doctor and opt to visit 24-hour care centers when they are sick. Such patients are referred to a specialist through these care centers if the illness warrants. While the doctors that comprise these care centers are well qualified, patients are subject to the doctor who is working that day.

Like any other relationship, it may take some shopping to find the right general practitioner. Word of mouth is a great way to start the search. Ask friends who they visit and how they like their doctor. Once a list of prospective physicians has been narrowed down, feel free visit a few. Call and set up an appointment to speak with the doctor. This visit should not take long and can reveal a great deal about the doctor's personality, as well as the atmosphere in the doctor's office.

When meeting with potential doctors, make sure to ask the following questions:

• What is the average wait for an appointment? While it may be a few weeks for a general wellness exam, most people want their doctor to fit them in the same day if they are ill. This is one of the benefits of an having an existing relationship with a doctor.
• Does the doctor bill insurance? Most doctor offices do all the billing, and patients are only responsible for the co-pay. If the doctor requires patients to pay up front and then seek reimbursement from the insurance company, that may be a factor in the selection of a doctor.
• Where do admitting privileges apply? Even if there is no preference concerning hospitals, make sure to find out what hospitals a doctor has admitting privileges at before becoming a patient.
• What are the ages of most of your patients? While general practitioners by definition do not have a specialty, most develop an informal one as their patient base develops. For example, older patients may not wish to sit in the waiting room with sick and cranky toddlers.

For information about other mesothelioma doctors, please see "Types of Doctors Involved in Treating Mesothelioma." To learn more about this type of cancer, please see "Mesothelioma Overview."

Sources:

1. http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2296/8/57

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