When a doctor leaves college, he can care for patients. In this case, he is considered a generalist, who works within a specific area. So, it is common for us to doubt which professional to turn to when making an appointment.
The fact is that there are several types of doctors on the market. And knowing which one to look for at any given time can be decisive for a good diagnosis and proper treatment. That’s why, in this post, we’ll show you when to make an appointment with a general practitioner or a specialist. Check out!
What is the difference between a generalist and a specialist?
After graduating in medicine, every doctor can be called a general practitioner. But, if he wants to continue studying, he can do a medical residency, opting for one of the 55 specialties.
The professional can also specialize in clinical medicine. Residency in the area even serves as a prerequisite for other specialties.
Thus, the main difference between them is the type of care provided. The specialist is dedicated to a medical area, such as:
- Neurology
- Cardiology
- Gynecology
- Ophthalmology etc.
At the same time, the general practitioner tends to attend to patients who do not yet know which specialist to look for. Thus, this service is considered primary.
When to look for an expert?
If a person has continuous nausea, vomiting, and stomach pain, for example, it is recommended that he see a gastroenterologist. Likewise, she can see a neurologist if she experiences frequent headaches
A specialist can also be consulted on a preventive basis. This is the case of preventive heart exams performed by a cardiologist and eye exams. Also, specialists are the most indicated in emergency care. For example, when a person suffers a fracture (orthopedist) or needs to be hospitalized. Thus, it is ideal to look for them when the origin of a problem is already known, albeit in an obvious way. After all, a symptom cannot always say disease in that specific location. When looking for a health institution, the patient may be referred to a specialty after screening.
When to make an appointment with a general practitioner?
Consultation with a general practitioner should be made especially when there is no clue about the causes of a problem.
In this sense, a generalist’s role is to provide the first help, prescribe a treatment, or refer to a specialist, depending on the case’s complexity.
This does not mean that this professional cannot provide a complete follow-up. It is often the most sought after to treat health problems, such as diabetes, hypertension, and gastritis. Also, it is very suitable for a medical check-up. This also includes referring them to specialists only when an abnormality appears.
But, must have trained and qualified professionals to provide quality care regardless of the specialty. If you need a general practitioner, always remember to detail all your symptoms.
Top reasons to see a General Practitioner
Reducing the risk of self-diagnosis:
The internet makes our lives much easier, but not everything we find on it is accurate or reliable. It is widespread for patients to Google their symptoms and self-diagnose. It can have many negative consequences such as self-medication and misdiagnosis. Thus, whatever the complaints, go to a General Practitioner, as he will be able to diagnose you through in-depth evaluation and exams. Then he will be helping to stop the disease’s evolution with the correct treatments.
Savings Here:
It is not about saving money, but also about time. Instead of wasting time with many specialist consultations and tests that often wouldn’t be necessary. You can go to a General Practitioner and get their correct answers and then be directed to what you need. This way, you save money and time, getting what you need with a consultation that investigates your health globally.
The General Practitioner often becomes the family doctor:
Because he has access to the entire medical history of his patients. He also knows what their illnesses are, their cause, and even factors that can aggravate them. Thus, it conveys more confidence and security to patients.
No Research:
You don’t need to research which specialist to consult when you experience symptom X or Y. Having in-depth knowledge of the human body:
- access to medical history
- and being aware of your patients’ situation
It makes the General Practitioner more apt for quick and effective care in cases that must prompt:
- consideration,
- diagnoses, and treatments.
Disease prevention:
It’s often the first and most significant step to fight disease. So, to have someone who directs our understanding and actions towards preventive actions. Examinations, consultations, and conversations are critical to recognizing risk factors.
Marham is a health platform that has several services to ensure that your health is protected. Relying on medical care at the time of an emergency or consulting a medical specialist for follow-up is peace of mind. When the topic is health, prevention is a serious matter, and having the help of specialist doctors is essential.
