Patients seeking primary care should be familiar with the difference between family medicine vs general practice because both terms are often used interchangeably. Learning these differences between the two helps patients decide which one is best for their ailment. Although both professionals are basic healthcare providers, they differ in training as well as scope of practice and patients.

Who is a General Practitioner (GP)?

A GP doctor meaning is a medical practitioner who provides primary medical care and does not specialize in any particular field. They are trained to address various health concerns and are often the first point of access for patients in the healthcare system. General Practitioners deal with almost any medical issue. They don’t focus on one area of medicine.

Overview

Below we will be exploring the educational as well as the professional journey of how to become a general practitioner.

Education

Just like other physicians, general practitioners have to complete four years of education in a medical school accredited and recognized by WHO. After graduation, they must complete an internship also known as clinical training under the supervision of a hospital, followed by medical work experience of 1 to 3 years from a hospital or a clinic.

Licensing

Once they have good experience working in the field, they have to pass the licensing examination specific to the emirates in which they want to practice.

There are different health authorities for different emirates:

  •       Dubai Health Authority (DHA) for Dubai
  •       Health Authority of Abu Dhabi (HAAD) for Abu Dhabi
  •       Ministry of Health and Preventions for other emirates of the UAE

After the issuance of the professional license, the general practitioners must carry it around with them while working. In UAE, it is essential to renew your medical license after every five years.

Finding a General Practitioner

There is no such prescribed method as to how to find a general practitioner, however, friends and family, healthcare facilities, and online directories can help you locate and find your desired GP. There are also clinics such as Canadian Medical Center in Abu Dhabi that provide their patients with a variety of services coupled with experienced General Practitioners.

Who is a Family Medicine Specialist?

Overview

A Family Medicine Specialist is also a primary healthcare provider just like any doctor who is granted a license to practice general medicine but only after gaining appropriate experience in family medicine.

Education

The process of becoming a family medicine specialist is almost the same as that of general practitioners so there is no further argument left for general practitioner vs family medicine specialist in educational aspect. During their residency, they train in different categories such as pediatrics, internal medicine, obstetrics, gynecology, and geriatrics ensuring the individual is fully equipped to treat any person or family with any disease.

Licensing

Getting a license to practice family medicine in the UAE is similar to the process of acquiring a GP license. Medical graduates with a verified MBBS degree must pass the licensing exam to be able to practice medicine in any emirate.

Family Medicine vs General Practice

The term general practitioner vs family medicine has been well-discussed for years. However, there is not much difference between these two professions. In various countries, family medicine vs general medicine has a distinction for instance, in the US, the structure is defined since family medicine specialists are required to specialize in their particular field before practicing. On the other hand, general practitioners don’t require specialization.

 There are some other countries where these differences between family medicine vs general practice are not usually observed and both terms are used freely for the same purpose. Another aspect that sets them slightly apart from each other is that family medicine specialists form long-term relationships with their patients as they provide holistic services to patients from birth to old age. While general practitioners are often the first point of contact for patients and treat a wide range of illnesses and injuries.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is family medicine the same as GP?

The difference between family medicine vs general practice is a continued debate but let us give you an answer that both are not entirely the same. Although both are considered primary care providers, Family Medicine Specialists complete residency training that is particularly broad and cross-disciplinary in nature, most especially in the United States. On the other hand, GPs may have wider, more general, and less focused education and training, depending on the country.

What type of doctor is best for primary care?

Both Family Medicine Specialists and General Practitioners are good for primary care services. It depends on the individual and which provider is most appropriate, taking into consideration age-specific health requirements and the country’s healthcare system.

What is the meaning of family medicine?

Family medicine is an area of specialized practice that offers an entire range of healthcare services to individuals and families, regardless of age, gender, disease, and geographical location.

Which category of doctor is best?

As to what is considered the “best” category of doctor, this will depend on what is needed in terms of health. For routine health issues, a Family Medicine Specialist or a Family Doctor would be ideal but for specific health problems, it is best to see the appropriate specialist.

Which type of doctor treats the largest range of ailments?

Family Medicine Specialists and General Practitioners are among the few healthcare providers who are trained to care for a wide variety of conditions in patients of all ages making them adaptable in treating various health problems.

Family medicine vs General medicine: Which one is more beneficial?

Deciding on which one is the best between the two entirely depends upon the patient’s need and the extent of the disease. Family medicine provided by a family doctor is beneficial for those who want to cure small or chronic illnesses. On the other hand, general medicine is a preferable option for those seeking a wide range of health-related services.

What We Learned

In the beginning, we discussed the terminology family medicine vs general practice and how both are different and similar to each other at the same time. When you are ill, it is necessary for you to identify the best option between the two so that you can get proper and efficient treatment.

We are sure that after reading this blog you won’t need to search ‘general practitioner meaning’, ‘what does a general practitioner do’, or even as simple as ‘family medicine vs general practice’ as we have gathered all the necessary information and have brought it for you. If you reside in Abu Dhabi and seeking the best General practitioners Abu Dhabi for your family or friends then consider visiting the Canadian Medical Centre (CMC) as they provide world-class health facilities and are considered one of the best when it comes to Abu Dhabi medical center.