A general practitioner is a doctor who is responsible for diagnosing and treating a variety of injuries and diseases that fall under the general practice category. General practitioners will diagnose patients by examining them and performing tests using medical equipment and instruments. After examining and testing patients, general practitioners will analyze these tests to determine the correct course of treatment or refer a patient to a specialist.
Types
There are two types of general practitioners. M.D.s are Doctors of Medicine, and D.O.s are Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine. Both types of doctors examine patients, prescribe drugs and perform surgery, but a D.O. specializes in the body's musculoskeletal system and preventive medicine.
Skills
Individuals looking to become a general practitioner must be emotionally stable and able to make crucial decisions quickly. General practitioners should have a strong desire to help and heal others. They also need good interpersonal skills, because they will be working with patients and medical staff on a daily basis. General practitioners must be dedicated enough to complete the many years of educational and residency requirements.
Education
General practitioners must complete four years of undergraduate school from an accredited university before going on to another four years of medical school. While studying for their undergraduate degree, students will take courses in physics, biology and mathematics. During the first two years of medical school, students will learn the fundamentals of anatomy; the last two years are devoted to working in hospitals and clinics. After graduating from medical school, doctors will begin a residency program, where they will begin on-the-job training. Residency programs in hospitals can last two to six years. Doctors who complete a residency program will be eligible for board certification, which requires a potential general practitioner to pass an exam.
Treatment
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, general practitioners perform a wide variety of treatments and serve as the initial contact for a patient. These doctors specialize in treating sinus and respiratory infections and treat broken bones or scrapes. When injuries and diseases become more serious, they often refer patients to specialists so they can receive any specialized treatment.
Environment
General practitioners can find employment opportunities in hospitals and clinics and work to develop a repeat business of patients. Practitioners create relationships with families and treat patients throughout their lives, which can be beneficial because of their knowledge of a patient's medical history.
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