Generalist skills (2)
N.B. While many of the following
attributes are required of specialists as well as generalists, in
general practice they assume sufficient prominence to merit stating
in their own right. The ability to integrate the various
skills is more important than the possession of any individual
one.
2.1 Treating the patient as a unique
person
2.2 Being an advocate for the individual
patient
2.3 Providing longitudinal or continuous
care
2.4 Simultaneously managing both acute and
ongoing problems
2.5 Integrating information on physical,
psychological, social and cultural factors which impact on
patients
2.6 Demonstrating an appropriately focussed
assessment of a patients’ condition based on the history, clinical
signs and examination
2.7 Demonstrating the appropriate use of
equipment routinely used in general practice and a familiarity with
the breadth of tests offered in secondary care
2.8 Emphasising where appropriate the
self-limiting or relatively benign natural history of a problem and
the importance of patients developing personal coping
strategies
2.9 Managing uncertainty, unpredictability
and paradox by displaying an ability to evaluate undifferentiated
and complex problems
2.10 Managing conflict, e.g. those which may
arise when making decisions about the use of resources, when the
needs or expectations of the individual patient and the needs of a
population of patients cannot both be fully met
2.11 Demonstrating awareness of individual
and family psycho-dynamics and their interaction with health and
illness
2.12 Balancing conflicting interests when
having a dual responsibility, such as a contractual obligation to a
third party and an obligation to patients
2.13 Showing a flexibility of approach
according to the different needs of a wide variety of patients
irrespective of their age, gender, cultural, religious or ethnic
background, sexual orientation or any other special needs
2.14 Practising medicine which is wherever
possible evidence based, with individuals and populations
2.15 Balancing clinical judgement against
evidence-based practice as determined by individual patient
needs
2.16 Co-ordinating and integrating care by
flexibly adopting the various roles (clinician, family physician
etc) of a GP in the course of ordinary practice
2.17 Recognising the GP’s frontline role,
both by facilitating patients’ access to specialised care and by
protecting them from unnecessary interventions
2.18 Managing time and workload effectively,
and setting realistic goals
2.19 Maintaining comprehensive written and
computerised records
2.20 Being able to recognise and meet the
doctor’s needs as a person including self and family care
(‘housekeeping’)
2.21 Recognising and working within the
limits of one’s professional competence
2.22 Being able to work effectively in a
team, either as a member or leader, accepting the principles of
collective responsibility, and to consult colleagues when
appropriate