A GP is a general practitioner, otherwise known as a family doctor. They are who you go to when you first have health problems. They will diagnose and treat you if they can or refer you to a specialist if you need one. A person can be with the same GP their whole life. A lot of Melbourne GP jobs are filled by trained professionals in Australia but there are also some who come in from abroad. GPs are trained in general practice, they have a broad array of skills and knowledge and will make sure you get the care best suited for your needs. It is important to note that in Australia you cannot get a rebate from Medicare when you see a specialist if you have not been referred to them by a GP in the last year or from another specialist in the last 3 months. It is your GP who will coordinate your treatment and care.
What can your GP do for you?
GPs need to complete three stages of education to qualify. First a basic medical degree, then they must do an internship and then they must do further medical training in general practice itself. They are then able to care for everyone from newborns up to seniors. GPs work in a number of locations, not just GP practices. Some work in hospitals, some in care facilities. Nowadays home visits happen less often but are still possible, and a lot are offering care over the internet and phone. If you are considering applying for Melbourne GP jobs some things you might do, day to day include;
- Writing prescriptions
- Treating illnesses and minor injuries
- Offering health advice
- Caring for pregnant women
- Vaccinations
- Helping patients with mental health concerns such as anxiety and depression
- Helping patients with chronic conditions
- Caring for babies and children
- Health screening such as blood pressure or cervical screening
- Providing medical certifications and reports
Finding a GP
It is great to find a GP that you can stay with long-term since they know your medical history, you will feel more comfortable talking to them about things and you can be more honest with them. Talk to people you know, talk to other health professionals, check in with the local community, look online using services like Service Finder. If you do not like a GP you do not have to stay with them. You can visit several and choose which feels like the right fit.
Request referrals from your friends, family, neighbors, and other local healthcare providers. Ask someone in your community for recommendations if you are seeking a general practitioner (GP) who speaks your language and is familiar with your culture.
You can schedule a checkup appointment with a GP to see whether you enjoy them. It is preferable to establish a rapport with a GP before you become ill or hurt. You are not required to continue seeing a doctor if you do not choose to. Until you choose the ideal practice for you, you might see a number of general practitioners. It’s a good idea to stick with your doctor once you’ve found the one who is best for you so they can get to know your medical requirements. Check out Grayclay International College for more information.
What to think about when looking for a GP
When Melbourne GP jobs are filled and you are choosing a GP think about the following;
- Languages they can speak
- Do they come with recommendations?
- Do you have a gender preference?
- Do they listen well?
- Is it easy to make an appointment?
- Does it have accreditations?
- Is it easy to get to?
- Its opening hours
- Do you have to pay fees or do they bulk bill?
- Will they also treat your children?
In Australia, how long does it take to become a general practitioner?
To become a qualified general practitioner in Australia, you may need to complete 10 to 15 years of continuous study and training.
How Difficult Is It in Australia to Become A GP?
It takes time and effort to become a general practitioner.
To become a qualified GP in Australia, you must enroll in a university to pursue a medical degree and finish extensive further training. If you are enthusiastic about human care, biosciences, and health, you can easily reach your objective.
If a GP does not speak my language, what then?
If you do not feel confident using the English language and you have a Medicare card, your doctor can use the Free Interpreting Service to help you communicate more effectively.
You can ask your doctor to set up a phone or in-person interpretation service with a native speaker of your language. 24 hours a day, onsite interpreters are also accessible by phone within minutes, without a prior appointment.
Cost of visiting a general practitioner
If you have a Medicare number in Australia, Medicare will fully or partially cover the cost of your doctor appointments. For a routine GP appointment, Medicare offers a $39.10 rebate. Some doctors, nevertheless, charge more than this. You will be responsible for the discrepancy in this situation, sometimes known as a “gap fee.” For instance, if your doctor costs $50 for the appointment, you will be responsible for the remaining $10.90.
If the doctor bulk bills, you will not be responsible for any fees. Simply collect the money from Medicare, says the doctor.
Some general practitioners have been providing phone or video consultations during the COVID-19 epidemic. Telehealth is the term for this. Your GP could bulk bill these visits or they might charge more. A telemedicine consultation is often only available from your usual doctor (meaning you have seen them in the last 12 months).
Can I visit a doctor on the weekend or at night?
Some general practices provide services after hours. If you are ill or injured when the office is closed, ask your general practitioner how you might seek medical attention.
Call the after-hours GP helpline for healthdirect at 1800 022 222 if you need to contact a doctor right now. You will be evaluated by a qualified nurse, who could give you a callback from a doctor. Depending on how urgent your medical problem is, the doctor will call you within 15 or 1 hour.