Helping patients succeed
A lot of my internal joy as a GP comes from seeing patients empowered to make the most of whatever brings them into the consulting room and succeeding in their battles.
GPs assume a central role as the gatekeeper or coordinator of their patient’s care.
It's the ability to provide people with total, encompassing care for their diversity, both in person and condition that allowed me to decide to choose to be a GP over other medical specialties.
My advice to patients is to find a GP they get along well with and ask questions. Challenge your GP and make sure your questions are answered. It’s important that patients themselves participate in the management of their healthcare.
As a GP, I can only help my patients to make decisions. It is their life and ultimately they choose their own path.
Generation of internal joy as a GP emanates from seeing patients empowered to make the most of whatever brings them into the consulting room, and succeeding in determining their best outcome. Sometimes succeeding doesn't mean they survive their illness but my job is to help patients maximise their health potential.
At my practice in Melbourne’s outer western suburbs, I see many people who need help with an addiction; for example an addiction to drugs or alcohol. These patients often have coexisting mental, physical and sociological problems, and many are also intimidated by the medical profession and resistant to seeing other medical specialists. It’s my job as their GP to help them address these deeper issues so they can adopt a direction in their life that isn't going to send them back to one substance or another.
My biggest challenge as a GP is keeping the waiting room running on time. As I’m sure all patients can relate to, sometimes we GPs keep you waiting. We don’t mean to, we just want to make sure that our patients are getting the care and time they need and deserve.