Use life support skills and emergency procedures, such as defibrillation, when necessary.

Interpret findings from investigations, such as blood tests, to help reach a diagnosis.Perform clinical examinations of patients to evaluate, diagnose, and monitor the patient’s condition.They may also refer patients to another specialty for special tests, such as a cardiologist for an angiogram and a gastroenterologist for an endoscopy.Ĭommon procedures or interventions that general medicine doctor perform are as follows: General medicine doctors can also work with radiologists to use X-rays, MRI, CT scans, or ultrasound, as well as nuclear medicine specialists for certain tests, such as PET scans. Occasionally, they may also arrange a biopsy for diagnosis, which will be sent to a pathologist for analysis. They may also arrange laboratory investigations, such as blood tests or other fluid samples from other parts of the body. Endocrinological, such as pituitary disease, diabetes, and thyroid disease.Ī general medicine doctor can arrange a wide range of tests, such as electrocardiogram, blood pressure test, urinalysis (U/A), blood sugar level, and fecal occult blood tests.Gastrointestinal system, including gastroenteritis and liver disease (such as alcoholic liver disease).The neurological system, such as cerebrovascular accident (strokes), dementia, and epilepsy (seizures).Cardiovascular system, such as hypertension and ischemic heart disease (heart attack, angina).Respiratory system, including lung fibrosis, asthma, pneumonia, and Emphysema or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).Some of the most common conditions general medicine doctor can treat include but are not limited to: They treat all medical conditions, including conditions that affect the respiratory, cardiovascular, neurological, gastrointestinal, hematological, or endocrine systems. Although they mostly treat adults, they may also treat adolescents and children. A medical doctor who specializes in general medicine is usually called a general medicine doctor or a general physician (GP). General medicine focuses on the diagnosis and nonsurgical treatment of diseases of the internal organs.

Township medical clinics south africa