A family doctor is a medical doctor who works freelance in his own practice or is employed in a medical care center. He is commonly considered the first point of contact for physical and also psychological ailments or issues.
What is a primary care physician?
The family physician is that medical professional who is perceived as the first medical point of contact in the health care system and who takes a very person-centered approach. Family physicians can be general practitioners without specialist training, general practitioners, pediatricians and adolescents, and, in some cases, specialists in internal medicine with a primary care practice. The family doctor is that medical professional who is perceived as the first medical contact point in the health care system and who takes a very person-centered approach. In Germany, one can practice as a family physician if one completes a medical doctorate after the state examination or medical diploma. This includes the Famulatur – practical patient care – and the practical year, which focuses on training directly with patients. In Austria, in order to be licensed as a family doctor, one must complete a doctoral program, as well as a three-year rotation, after graduating as a “Doctor of All Medicine.” The rotation is about gaining practical experience in different areas of medicine, which are determined in advance.
Treatments
The family doctor offers a wide range of treatments, and his core tasks are consultative talks, basic and preventive examinations, and long-term monitoring and treatment of chronic diseases. He or she performs all primary care duties and is responsible for wound care of minor injuries, such as cuts or small lacerations. Additionally, the primary care physician’s duties include performing EKGs, pulmonary function tests, infusion therapy and immunizations. He also has a consulting function, such as in the area of nutritional counseling, smoking cessation or travel medicine issues. In addition, family physicians are authorized to perform fitness examinations for obtaining a driver’s license and surgical preparations. Family physicians may also be consulted for psychological complaints. Because he or she usually knows the patient’s personal circumstances better than most specialists, the family doctor can provide advice and identify where the problems lie. Furthermore, a family doctor may also have additional training. These include training in acupuncture, diabetes, emergency medicine, ultrasound or skin cancer screening. In the case of people in need of care or serious illnesses, the family doctor also makes house calls.
Diagnostic and examination methods
The first visit with the primary care physician begins with the physician taking the new patient’s medical history and getting a picture of the person’s life and environment. In the course of this initial interview, the family physician inquires about childhood and adolescent development, previous illnesses, allergies, operations already performed, and past accidents. In addition, he inquires about the family’s medical history and determines whether the patient has an increased risk of illness or accident – possibly due to the profession he or she is practicing. To classify a wide range of symptoms, the family doctor uses methods such as pulse and blood pressure measurements, palpation examinations and examinations of the heart and lungs by listening with a stethoscope. Family physicians also perform blood draws, which are sent to a laboratory for analysis, and may administer vaccinations. To detect a ureteral infection or bladder infection, family physicians also perform rapid urine tests. The primary care physician is authorized to write prescriptions for medications and to write referrals to specialists and hospitals.
What should the patient watch out for?
When choosing the appropriate family doctor, one should keep in mind that he or she will not change it so quickly in the near future. Therefore, it is essential that there is a certain sympathy between patient and family doctor and that trust can be built. Thus, if one feels uncomfortable with one’s family doctor or cannot trust him in any respect, one should turn to another medical professional. Since a family doctor also advises on psychological matters, one should be prepared to express one’s own problems and conflicts to the chosen family doctor without hesitation – this is not conceivable without trust.Recommendations from friends, family members or neighbors should also be taken into account in the selection process based on experience. In addition, there should be a short distance to the family doctor so that he or she can be easily reached even if serious complaints are involved or so that home visits are possible.
