GPs

A general practitioner (GP) is a doctor who specialises in general practice. GPs have distinct expertise and experience in providing whole person medical care, whilst managing the complexity, uncertainty and risk associated with the continuous care they provide. By contrast with specialist physicians, GPs do not have a specific specialist area; they can diagnose and treat many different conditions, while also determining when a patient needs to see a doctor with more specialised training in a particular area. Generally, they participate more in outpatient care as opposed to inpatient care. The term primary care physician is used in the United States.