Editing General practice (section)

==Definitions==

A [[general practitioner]] (GP) is a doctor who is a consultant in the discipline of general practice. GPs have distinct expertise and experience in providing whole person [[Medicine|medical]] care whilst managing the complexity, uncertainty and risk associated with the continuous care they provide. GPs work at the heart of their [[Community|communities]], striving to provide comprehensive and equitable care for everyone, taking into account their health care needs, stage of life and background. GPs work in, connect with and lead multidisciplinary teams that care for people and their [[families]], respecting the context in which they live, aiming to ensure all of their [[physical health]] and [[mental health]] needs are met.<ref>{{cite web|title=Definition of a GP|url= https://www.rcgp.org.uk/about
|website=Royal College of General Practitioners| access-date=22 June 2024}}</ref>

General practice is an [[Academy|academic]] and [[scientific]] discipline with its own educational content, [[research]], evidence base and clinical activity. Characteristics that define the discipline of general practice are:<ref name=" General practice "/><ref>{{cite web|title=Choose to be a GP|url= https://www.racgp.org.au/a-career-in-general-practice|website=Royal Australian College of General Practitioners| access-date=22 June 2024}}</ref> 
* person centredness
* continuity of care
* comprehensiveness
* whole person care
* diagnostic and therapeutic skill
* coordination and clinical teamwork
* continuous quality improvement
* professional, clinical and ethical standards
* leadership, advocacy and equity
* continuing evolution of the speciality.

The general practice model is used in countries such as the [[United Kingdom]], [[Australia]], [[New Zealand]], [[Netherlands|the Netherlands]], [[India]] and [[South Africa]]. In some countries, such as the [[United States]], similar services may be described as [[family medicine]] or [[primary care]]. The term primary care may include services provided by GPs, [[community nursing]], [[Allied health professions|allied health]], [[pharmacy]], [[optometry|optometrist]], [[dentistry]], and community hearing care providers. The balance of care between primary care and secondary care - which usually refers to hospital based services - varies from place to place. In many countries there are initiatives to move services out of hospitals into the community, in the expectation that this will be cost-effective and be more convenient.