Person central
General practitioners understand that health, illness and disease are ultimately personal experiences, and that their principal role is to relieve personal disease in all its forms, in the manner best suited to each individual. The client’s needs, values and desired health outcomes always remain central to the general practitioner's evaluation and management processes.
Interdisciplinary
A medical doctor who works with a diverse range of health professionals in a coordinated fashion towards a common goal for the client.
Continuity of care
Long term relationships build mutual knowledge, understanding, and trust: all essential elements in a therapeutic relationship which generates the potential for healing, empowerment and beneficial change.
Comprehensiveness
General practitioners are not limited by age, gender, body system, disease process or service site. The scope of clinical practice is challenging, spanning prevention, health promotion, early intervention for those at risk, and the management of acute, chronic and complex conditions within the practice population.
General practitioners are not limited by age, gender, body system, disease process or service site. The scope of clinical practice is challenging, spanning prevention, health promotion, early intervention for those at risk, and the management of acute, chronic and complex conditions within the practice population.
Whole person care
Appreciation of the interplay between bio-psycho-social-lifestyle contributors to health leads to a deep understanding of the whole person, and the ability to manage complex conditions and circumstances. The general practitioner functions as a physician, counsellor, advocate and agent of change for individuals, families and their communities
Diagnostic and therapeutic skill
General practitioners' high level diagnostic and therapeutic skills applied within continuing relationships deliver cost effective care that is highly valued by clients.
General practice is a unique discipline. Rigorous medical training and the ability to apply the evidence appropriately in community settings, places general practice is an integral part of an effective primary health care system. These same qualities – when combined with the discipline's holistic, relationship based philosophy and broad generalist practice, ensure that individualised, client centred care is achieved.