GP
/ˈdʒiː ˈpiː/
Definition
The meaning: GP stands for General Practitioner, a medical doctor who provides primary healthcare and treats a wide range of medical conditions.
La signification: L’abréviation GP signifie Médecin Généraliste. C’est un professionnel de santé qui assure des soins primaires et traite une variété de pathologies. Le médecin généraliste est souvent le premier point de contact pour les patients et peut les orienter vers des spécialistes si nécessaire.
Note: A GP can diagnose and manage common illnesses, prescribe medication, and refer patients to specialists when needed.
Word Analysis
French synonyms
» Médecin généraliste
» Docteur de famille
» Praticien de santé primaire
A: J'ai un problème de santé, je vais voir mon médecin généraliste.
B: Bonne idée, ton médecin traitant pourra te conseiller ou t'orienter vers un spécialiste si besoin.
English synonyms
» Family doctor
» Primary care physician
» Generalist doctor
A: I have a health issue, so I'm seeing my GP tomorrow.
B: Good idea, your general practitioner can advise you or refer you to a specialist if necessary.
Dialogue
Lebohang: "I haven't been feeling well lately. I think I need to see a doctor."
Palesa: "You should book an appointment with your GP. They can check what's wrong."
Lebohang: "Good idea. I’ll call first thing in the morning."
Palesa: "Yes, it’s always better to get a professional opinion from your general practitioner."
Etymology
Origin: The term General Practitioner dates back to the 19th century and refers to a doctor who provides non-specialised medical care. Historically, GPs were known as "generalists," differentiating them from specialist physicians. Over time, the role of GPs expanded to include preventive medicine, health education, and long-term patient care. The abbreviation GP is widely used in English-speaking countries, particularly in the UK, Australia, and New Zealand, where GPs serve as the first point of contact in the healthcare system.
Audience
The term "GP" is widely used in both medical and everyday contexts to refer to a generalist doctor who provides primary healthcare. It is especially common in the UK, Australia, and other Commonwealth countries where General Practitioners serve as the first point of medical contact.
When to use: Use GP when referring to a non-specialist doctor responsible for general medical care. For example: "I need to book an appointment with my GP for a check-up," or "A GP can provide referrals to specialists if needed." The term is standard in British English but may be less commonly used in American English, where "family doctor" or "primary care physician" is preferred.
Dictionary Meaning
Cambridge says the abbreviation is "short for general practitioner; a doctor who treats the general illnesses of the people in a district, not specialising in any particular branch of medicine:
'My GP referred me to a heart specialist.'
News Snippet
"My options are: 1) go around GP practices and private hospitals and beg for any number of locum hours available; 2) sit at home and wait for a government post to become available (for months? Years?); 3) open my own GP practice (take a loan? Sell a kidney?) and let go of the dream of ever specialising; or 4) leave the country and find someplace that actually wants the skills and knowledge that I have."
Read the full article at The Daily Maverick
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Common Idioms & Expressions Related to "General Practitioner (GP)"
Family Doctor
A general practitioner who provides primary care for families and individuals.
Example: "I need to book an appointment with my family doctor."
Primary Care Physician (PCP)
The first point of contact for patients, handling general medical issues.
Example: "Your PCP will refer you to a specialist if needed."
Frontline Doctor
A doctor who is the first medical professional to assess a patient.
Example: "GPs act as frontline doctors in community health."
Local GP
A general practitioner who serves a particular community or area.
Example: "My local GP knows my medical history well."
First Port of Call
A phrase referring to the GP as the first medical professional consulted.
Example: "If you have persistent symptoms, your GP should be your first port of call."
Generalist
A doctor who covers a broad range of medical issues rather than specialising.
Example: "GPs are generalists who provide comprehensive care."
Common Hospital Medical Personnel
Consultant
A senior specialist doctor, often referred by a GP for further treatment.
Example: "The GP referred me to a consultant for my knee pain."
Registrar
A doctor in training for a medical specialty under the supervision of a consultant.
Example: "The registrar conducted my initial assessment."
Junior Doctor
A doctor who has completed medical school but is still undergoing training.
Example: "A junior doctor took my medical history before the specialist arrived."
Practice Nurse
A nurse working alongside GPs to provide patient care and support.
Example: "The practice nurse gave me a flu vaccine at the GP surgery."
Physician Assistant (PA)
A healthcare professional who assists doctors in diagnosis and treatment.
Example: "The physician assistant explained my test results in detail."
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