General Practitioner Examination
The purpose of a general practitioner’s examination is to assess your general health, diagnose and treat diseases and injuries, provide preventive care and provide support, advice and answers to your health and well-being questions. Examinations are carried out by Doctor of Medicine or specialists of General Medicine.
Responsibilities that a General Practitioner has
Consultations
A general practitioner can provide consultations to patients both at home and in the office, depending on the situation and the patient’s needs.
- Consultations at home can be useful if the patient is immobile or unable to visit the office due to health reasons. These consultations can be done in person by the arrival of a doctor, via phone, video call or other platforms.
- Consultations in the office can be especially useful if it is necessary to conduct additional tests or refer the patient to a specialist if necessary.
It is always best to consult a general practitioner to find out which options are available and which are the best for your specific situation.
Monitoring the patient’s condition
A General Practitioner plays an important role in monitoring patients over time to ensure continued care for their health:
- Through regular check-ups to assess the patient’s overall health, perform routine check-ups, discuss symptoms or concerns, and monitor changes in health status.
- Monitoring chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, asthma or arthritis, to monitor the course of the disease, adjust therapy if necessary, provide advice to prevent complications.
- Ordering laboratory tests that can provide health information.
- Monitoring therapy to ensure that the medication is taken correctly and that the expected results are achieved.
Patient monitoring enables a general practitioner to provide personalized and continuous health care, monitor progress and respond to any changes or problems in the patient’s health.
Diagnosing a condition or disease
The general practitioner plays a key role in diagnosing the disease.
Your doctor will talk to you about the symptoms you have, their duration, intensity, how they occur, and changes over time.
- The questions asked by the GP can help detect the potential causes of symptoms and direct further diagnostic steps.
- The doctor will perform a physical examination to assess your vital signs, examine relevant parts of the body, and detect physical signs of illness.
- It may also require various diagnostic tests which may include laboratory blood, urine or stool tests, X-ray, ultrasound, ECG or other relevant tests. The results of these tests may provide objective data for making a diagnosis.
- In some cases, a General Practitioner may refer the patient to a specialist (cardiologist, orthopedist, gastroenterologist) if a specific disease required by that specialist’s expertise is suspected.
It is important to note that a General Practitioner can diagnose and treat most routine and common diseases. General practitioners gain significant experience in identifying and diagnosing various diseases during their practice.
Reference to additional examinations and tests
The general practitioner may refer patients for various tests as needed.
A complete blood count (CBC) analysis with leukocyte formula can provide useful information about the state of your body and point to various diseases or disorders such as: infections, inflammatory processes, anemia, immune disorders, leukemia, allergic reactions and other hematological disorders.
Basic blood biochemistry, often performed as part of a routine laboratory analysis, provides information on:
- liver diseases (ALT and AST, albumin and bilirubin)
- kidney diseases (creatinine and urea)
- diabetes (glucose)
- electrolyte disturbance (sodium, potassium, calcium and phosphate)
- lipid profile disorders (total cholesterol, LDL and HDL cholesterol or triglycerides) may indicate an increased risk of cardiovascular disease
- thyroid hormone disorders, i.e. thyroid hormones (T3, T4).
Urinary analysis can provide useful information about potential diseases such as urinary tract infection, kidney disease, diabetes, stones, dehydration, liver, bile and kidney diseases.
The doctor may perform an electrocardiogram (ECG) as part of a routine examination or as part of a diagnostic procedure to obtain information about artifacts, ischemic heart disease, implementation blocks, the effect of drugs on cardiac function.
A general practitioner may order a stress test to assess how your heart responds to physical exertion. The stress test is usually performed on a treadmill or bicycle. It is used to assess coronary artery disease, level of physical fitness, monitoring of the prescribed treatment as well as drug reactions.
The doctor may recommend an X-ray as part of a diagnostic procedure or to monitor a particular condition. It is most commonly used for the diagnosis of bone fractures, lung diseases, diseases of the joints, ulcers of the stomach or duodenum, inflammation of the intestines, stones in the kidneys and bile.
The general practitioner performs an analysis of tests in order to establish a diagnosis e.g. testing a urine sample. If there is an elevated number of leukocytes in the urine, along with the presence of bacteria, it may indicate a urinary infection. If there is a presence of protein in the urine, it can indicate kidney disease. Elevated glucose in the urine (glucosuria) may indicate diabetes, and the presence of crystals on stones in the urinary tract.
Providing first aid in an emergency situations
A general practitioner provides first aid in certain situations such as acute heart attack, anaphylactic shock, severe asthma, serious injuries, malignant hypertension. In these situations, the doctor will provide first aid, stabilize the patient and refer him to the emergency department or surgical center for further treatment.
Planning therapy
The general practitioner, after making a diagnosis, plans therapy that corresponds to the specific disease or condition of the patient. Therapy may include medication, physical therapy, surgical procedures or other interventions, depending on the patient’s needs. Therapy is adapted according to the individual needs of each patient.
Why are regular check-ups by General Practitioners important?
Regular check-ups with a general practitioner are important for several reasons:
Disease prevention
The doctor can identify early signs of the disease or risk factors and take preventive measures.
Early detection of the disease
Regular check-ups allow the general practitioner to monitor the patient’s health status over time. This can help detect the disease in the early stages, when they are more easily treated and have a better prognosis.
Management of chronic diseases
Such as diabetes, asthma, arthritis or hypertension, where disease control can be monitored, therapy can be adjusted if necessary, monitor progress and provide support and advice for managing symptoms and preventing complications.
Counseling on nutrition, physical activity and stress management
The doctor may make recommendations regarding smoking cessation and other aspects of health. Also, the doctor can provide education about specific health conditions and inform the patient about available treatment options and preventive measures.
Continuity of health care
The doctor can monitor patients over time, understand their medical history, update data on allergies, medications and previous diagnoses, and provide personalized care according to needs.
How often should I be examined by a GP?
It is commonly recommended that an individual have regular check-ups with a general practitioner, even if they do not feel sick. The exact frequency of examinations can depend on several factors, including age, gender, medical history, presence of chronic diseases and risk factors.
If the person has grown up and does not have existing health problems, it is recommended that they have an examination with a general practitioner at least once a year. Elderly people, especially those over the age of 65, usually have an increased risk of certain diseases and conditions. It is recommended that older people have regular check-ups with a general practitioner at least once a year, or as directed by a doctor. It is important to note that these guidelines are general in nature and may vary from person to person. People with existing health problems or a high risk of certain diseases may require more frequent examinations or additional specialist consultations.
Details of the examination of the general practitioner
What to bring to the examination of a general practitioner?
Before you go for an examination, be sure to bring all relevant medical documents. This includes previous medical records, laboratory test results, or any other relevant documentation that may be helpful to the doctor.
What to expect during a general practitioner’s examination?
During the examination with a General Practitioner, you can expect the following:
Talk about symptoms and medical history: Your doctor will call you into the office and talk to you about your symptoms, problems or any health issues you may have. The doctor will ask questions to get a clear picture of your symptoms, how long they last and how they change over time. They will also ask you about your medical history, previous illnesses, surgeries, allergies, family history, and medication use.
After the interview, the doctor will perform a physical examination. This may include measuring your blood pressure, examining your lungs and heart with a stethoscope, examining your abdomen, examining your eyes, ears, nose, throat, skin, or any other part of your body that is relevant to your symptoms or medical condition.
Depending on your symptoms and needs, your GP may request additional diagnostic tests. This may include laboratory blood, urine or stool tests, X-rays, ultrasound or other tests that are relevant to your medical condition.
Based on the interview, physical examination and the results of diagnostic tests, the doctor will make a diagnosis or, if necessary, refer you to a specialist for further evaluation. After making a diagnosis, the doctor will explain the results and suggest an appropriate treatment plan. This may include prescribing medications, recommendations for lifestyle changes, therapy, or instructions for further testing or monitoring.
Your GP will provide you with health advice and guidance to maintain good health. This may include advice on diet, physical activity, stress management, vaccination, disease prevention, or other aspects of prevention.
How long does it take to see a general practitioner?
The duration of the examination with a general practitioner may vary depending on various factors, such as the nature of the problem, the number of symptoms you report, additional diagnostic tests that may be required, and the general occupancy of the doctor. However, the usual duration of an examination with a general practitioner is usually between 10 and 30 minutes.
After a general practitioner’s examination
After the review, you can expect a few things:
- Diagnosis: your doctor will explain the results and clarify the nature of your illness or condition.
- Treatment plan: may include a recommendation for medication, physical therapy, changes in diet or lifestyle, or other therapeutic interventions. Your doctor will explain the purpose of therapy, the potential risks or side effects, as well as the expected results.
- Referral to a specialist: If additional examination or specialized treatment is required.
- Monitoring and control: schedule regular check-ups, monitor responses to therapy, adjust medication doses, or conduct additional tests to monitor the progression of your health condition.
It is important to keep in mind that each general practitioner can have their own individual approach and procedure, so the possibilities and steps may differ. Also, in emergency situations or in more serious illnesses, your GP may refer you to the emergency room or hospital for further evaluation and treatment.
Results and monitoring
What are the possible results of the examination and what do they mean?
The results of the examination with a general practitioner may vary depending on the nature of your health condition.
- If it is a routine examination, the results may be normal, which means that there are no noticeable problems or diseases. Your doctor may recommend certain preventive measures or lifestyle changes to maintain good health.
- If you have symptoms or problems, your doctor may make an appropriate diagnosis and recommend a therapeutic plan. For example, he may prescribe medication, recommend changes in diet or exercise, or refer to a specialist for further diagnosis and treatment.
- In some cases, a general practitioner may notice symptoms or signs that require additional evaluation, so you may be referred to a specialist or additional tests may be scheduled.
- After the examination, your GP can provide you with tips and guidance on how to deal with symptoms, take care of yourself, and monitor progress. This may include instructions on taking prescribed medications, changing your diet, recommendations for exercising, or managing stress.
When should you talk to your doctor after the examination?
After an examination with a general practitioner, there are several situations in which you should contact your GP again:
If you notice any changes or worsening of symptoms after the examination
This may include new symptoms, strengthening of existing symptoms, or insufficient improvement after previously recommended treatment.
If you experience any side effects or side effects from prescribed therapy
These may include allergic reactions, digestive problems, sleep disorders, or any other unusual reactions to medications or treatments.
If you have questions or concerns about your health, therapy or recommendations
It is important to understand your health and be informed in order to make the right decisions about your treatment.
If it is agreed to see a doctor again
This schedule should be followed and a follow-up examination should be scheduled according to the doctor’s instructions.
If new health concerns, questions or problems arise that you want to discuss with your doctor
This can be related to any area of health that you want to consider with your general practitioner.
