Chronic disease or physical disability? The role of the general practitioner

There has been a lack of discussion and consensus as to what the role of the general practitioner should be in the care of patients with chronic diseases. Should general practitioners concentrate on the disease or should their remit include the resultant disability and handicap? General practitioner...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:British journal of general practice 1996-02, Vol.46 (403), p.109-113
Main Author: Memel, D
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Chronic Disease
Disabled Persons
Family Practice
Humans
Models, Theoretical
Physician's Role
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Summary:There has been a lack of discussion and consensus as to what the role of the general practitioner should be in the care of patients with chronic diseases. Should general practitioners concentrate on the disease or should their remit include the resultant disability and handicap? General practitioners have tended to concentrate on the disease, but this may be inappropriate. For many disabled people, their general practitioner is their only source of health care and is the gatekeeper to other services. Greater knowledge among doctors of the functional and social aspects of disease would therefore improve the quality of care for patients, and should be assessed through clinical audit. Ways are described in which general practitioners, working together with their patients with chronic diseases and with other health professionals, can improve aspects of the care of these patients.
ISSN:0960-1643