When I was growing up, both in Zambia and in the UK, the only doctor I ever saw (apart from when I had my tonsils out) was a GP. However, I can virtually guarantee that most of you reading this newsletter now go to a specialist rather than a GP, for most of your medical care. A paediatrician for your children's minor ailments, a gynaecologist for your annual PAP smear and so on and so on. We all self-refer to specialists. The recent report on the continuing poor quality of US health care highlights the lack of access to and use of primary care doctors as one of the failings of the system. And I know that, for all its problems, one of the main strengths of the UK's NHS is its complete reliance on GPs as the gatekeepers - the backbone of medical care. The erosion of use of GPs since medical aids started to overlook specialist self-referal is almost certainly one of the reasons for rising health care costs. People have started to see GPs as 'second class' doctors - someone is 'only a GP'. But, in fact, general practice, practiced as it should be, is a difficult and exacting speciality and a good GP is always an excellent doctor - you have to deal with everything that walks through the door after all. I know a few GPs who still manage to provide what general practice is all about - a holistic approach to each patient, taking into consideration not only the individual patient, but their families, work environment, interests, activities and so on. I also know excellent doctors who are fed up with being there for sick notes, sore backs and coughs and colds - never getting the opportunity to deal with the whole patient and liaise with any specialist who is needed. Its worth thinking about how you use different doctors - and thinking about exactly what it is that you want from each consultation. You may find that you would prefer to see a GP as your first line of care.
Bridget Farham Editor https://www.bizcommunity.com