What is General Practice

General Practice is an important part of Australia's health system.

GP stands for General Practitioner. Sometimes people refer to their GP as "my doctor" or "family doctor". The term GP refers to doctors who work in the community, looking after the overall health care needs of individuals or families in the community.

The average Australian visits a GP more than four times a year, with over 85% of the population attending at least once a year. General practice is, for most Australians, the first and most important point of contact with the health care system.

Your GP's job is to identify the nature of a health problem from a broad range of possibilities, often when very little information is available. Your GP then provides ongoing management of these conditions. However, GPs also spend much of their time trying to promote health and well-being, either by preventing disease from developing, or catching it early before it causes major problems. Your GP also takes on the role of coordinating your care when other health professionals, community services or local support are required in the management of your health

Although the general medical practitioner has existed in Australia since the first settlement, specific training of medical school graduates in general practice only began in 1964. Furthermore, general practice as a specific and defined discipline within medicine was only formally recognised in 1978. In this relatively short period of time there has been a great deal of change in relation to general practice, and the Government continues to work with the medical profession to enhance the role of the GP and further improve GP services. More recently, the role of consumers in partnership with the Government and doctors to improve health care has been recognised as essential.

Points to consider when choosing a family doctor:

Choose a family doctor you can relate to

It is important that YOU feel comfortable and can talk openly with your family doctor. Everything you share with your doctor is completely confidential.

Choose a family doctor who meets your needs

Do you need to see your family doctor outside normal working hours? Do you need home visits? Are you more comfortable speaking in a language other than English or with a doctor who understands your culture? Do you have a disability?

Visit the same family doctor

By visiting the same doctor or doctors in a medical group, your personal health information can be recorded in one place. You will work better together as you get to know each other. Your doctor will also have a more complete picture of your health and will be able to monitor any changes over time.

Ask about payment details

If how you pay is important to you, ask about fees and payment of accounts when you make your appointment.

Get an appointment time that suits you

Ask for a longer appointment if you have multiple problems to discuss with your doctor. Remember to make an appointment for each family member who needs to be seen.

Your family doctor will always aim to be available to see you at your appointment time, but if there is an emergency or another patient has a problem that takes more time than expected, you may have to wait. On another occasion it may be you who needs the extra time. Don't forget to cancel an appointment if your plans change.

Prepare for an appointment

Write down your questions before an appointment and details about your symptoms. You could also phone before your appointment to check if your family doctor will be on time.

Make the most of your appointment

If you have made a list of health concerns, show this to your family doctor at the start of the appointment. Your family doctor may need to prioritise this list. Take notes or ask your doctor to write down the main points you need to remember. If you are on multiple medications take these to your appointment. Tell your family doctor if you are taking medications, even medicines bought over the counter from pharmacies and vitamins and health food supplements. Discuss any alternative treatments that you are using or planning to use.

Provide feedback on service

If you are unhappy with the service provided, in most cases it is best to speak with your family doctor or an appropriate staff member. You have the right to seek a second opinion or change doctors. If you consider the situation to be particularly serious you may choose to contact the Health Services Commissioner on 1800 043 159.