16 General Practitioner Skills for Your Career and Resume

A general practitioner (GP) is a medical doctor who provides primary health care to patients in a community. GPs have a wide range of skills and knowledge that they use to diagnose and treat patients with a variety of health conditions. If you’re interested in becoming a GP, it’s important to understand the skills that are necessary for this role.

Emergency Care

General practitioners often need to provide emergency care, which requires them to have a wide range of skills. This includes knowing how to handle various medical emergencies and accidents, as well as the ability to assess patients quickly and accurately. General practitioners also need to know how to perform life-saving procedures such as CPR or administering injections when necessary.

Patient Education

Patient education is an important skill for general practitioners to have because it allows them to educate their patients on how to maintain a healthy lifestyle and prevent future health issues. General practitioners often provide information about diet, exercise, medication and other treatment options so that their patients can make informed decisions about their care.

Treatment Planning

General practitioners often work with patients to create treatment plans that help them overcome their health issues. Treatment planning involves creating a plan that includes the most effective treatments for each patient’s condition and any lifestyle changes they may need to make. General practitioners can use their treatment-planning skills when working with patients, as it allows them to provide patients with the best care possible.

Surgery

General practitioners often perform surgery to treat patients. This means they need surgical skills, including knowledge of anatomy and how to use medical tools. General practitioners also need the ability to make quick decisions when a patient needs immediate treatment. For example, if a patient has an eye infection that could cause blindness, a general practitioner should be able to quickly diagnose and operate on the patient.

Preventative Care

Preventative care is a key skill for general practitioners, as they often work with patients to maintain their health and wellness. General practitioners may use preventative care skills when working with patients on medication management or lifestyle changes that can help them avoid future health issues. For example, if a patient has high blood pressure, the doctor may recommend regular exercise and dietary changes to reduce their risk of developing heart disease in the future.

Chronic Disease Management

General practitioners often treat patients with chronic diseases, which means they need to have the ability to manage these conditions over an extended period of time. This may include managing symptoms and prescribing medications or other treatment options that can help their patients live healthier lives. General practitioners also need to be able to recognize when a patient needs to see a specialist for more advanced treatment.

Attention to Detail

General practitioners must be able to pay close attention to detail when diagnosing patients. This is because they need to understand the full range of symptoms a patient may experience in order to determine the correct treatment for them. General practitioners also use their attention to detail when recording patient information, as this ensures that all necessary details are recorded and can help with future diagnoses.

Empathy

General practitioners often work with patients who are experiencing a wide range of emotions. Having empathy allows them to connect with their patients and understand how they’re feeling. This can help the doctor provide more effective treatment because they can better understand what their patients need. It also helps them build stronger relationships with their patients, which can make it easier for them to communicate with their patients about sensitive topics like health conditions or procedures.

Infection Control

General practitioners often treat patients with infectious diseases, such as the flu or strep throat. Having strong infection control skills can help them prevent spreading these conditions to other patients and maintain a safe work environment for themselves and their staff. General practitioners should also be familiar with common infections so they can quickly identify when a patient needs treatment for an infectious disease rather than another condition.

Patience

General practitioners often work with patients who have a variety of health issues. It’s important for general practitioners to be patient when working with their patients so they can provide the best care possible. General practitioners may also need patience when waiting for test results or other information from medical professionals.

Medication Management

General practitioners often prescribe medication to their patients, so it’s important for them to have a thorough knowledge of the medications they’re recommending. This ensures that they can provide accurate information about how the medication works and what side effects may occur. General practitioners also need to know how long each medication should be taken and if there are any potential drug interactions with other medications or supplements.

Problem Solving

General practitioners often solve problems for their patients, such as when a patient has an illness that requires treatment. General practitioners use problem-solving skills to determine the best course of action and how to treat their patients. They also use these skills to identify potential health risks for their patients before they occur.

Medical Diagnosis

General practitioners are trained to make accurate medical diagnoses, which means they can identify the cause of a patient’s symptoms and prescribe treatment. General practitioners often use their skills in observation and listening when making a diagnosis. They also rely on their knowledge of common diseases and conditions so they can provide the right treatment for each condition.

Laboratory Procedures

General practitioners use laboratory procedures to analyze patient samples and make diagnoses. For example, a general practitioner may take blood or urine samples from patients to test for conditions like diabetes or kidney disease. General practitioners also perform other types of tests, such as electrocardiograms (EKGs) and chest X-rays, which require specific laboratory procedures.

Interpersonal Skills

General practitioners often work with patients one-on-one, so interpersonal skills like empathy and compassion are important. General practitioners also need to be able to communicate clearly with their patients about treatment options and procedures. They should also have the ability to listen to their patients’ concerns and answer questions in a way that makes them feel comfortable.

Communication

General practitioners must be able to communicate clearly with their patients. This means explaining medical terminology in a way that the patient can understand and answering any questions they may have about treatment options or procedures. General practitioners also need to communicate effectively with other healthcare professionals, such as specialists, nurses and technicians. They often do this through written communication, such as email or text messages, but sometimes they use phone calls or video conferencing software.

How Can I Learn These General Practitioner Skills?

There are a few ways that you can learn the necessary skills to become a general practitioner. Firstly, you can complete a degree in medicine from a university, which will provide you with the theoretical knowledge required for the role. Secondly, you can complete a vocational training program in general practice, which will provide you with the practical skills required for the role. Finally, you can shadow a general practitioner in a medical setting to learn firsthand about the day-to-day tasks and responsibilities involved in the role.