Health care is just darn confusing when it comes to most of the medical jargon. Two such terms that have been inaccurately labeled are the "panel physician" and the "general practitioner." Although both are vital in their respective professions, they play absolutely different roles in the health care system. The article is going to define and enlighten one on the difference between the two types of medical professionals so that you know what kind of a professional to see under what circumstances.
General Practitioner
A general practitioner sometimes referred to as a family doctor, is a medical person who provides primary care for all ages. GPs have always been the first contact for the various patients seeking advice or treatment from any practicing doctor. Thus, such professionals can diagnose and treat a wide range of health conditions-indeed, from common diseases, such as a cold and flu, to chronic diseases, such as diabetes and hypertension. Indeed, GPs are trained, except for preventive care, to treat acute and chronic conditions and refer the patient to a specialist if the case requires it.
They would want to be a personal doctor who could understand the patients well and be able to give care that suited the health requirement of every patient. A GP oversees the full management of health, and most often, they work in clinics, hospitals, or private practices. In a very broad sense, the services of a GP are basically necessary for keeping a patient in his or her general good health since they normally enable one to help in preventive care, vaccinations, and screenings. In addition to that, a GP of great importance has in the coordination of care with specialists and hospitals whenever their services are required for more specified medical interventions.
Panel Doctor
A panel doctor is a medical expert elected to carry out medical test sessions among immigrants or people who are applying for entry with visas via some countries. As such, the physicians appointed by the government or immigration authority seek to ensure that the applicant, who will enter the country with a visa, is medically fit to enter that particular country. Panel physicians, therefore, play a role in assisting in finding out whether the applicants are afflicted with some conditions that may be considered to pose a public health threat and, therefore, inadmissible to a particular country.
Guidelines impose a restraint on immigration authorities to put the panel physician. For instance, when immigrating to Canada, Australia, or United States, the candidate shall be subjected to medical examination by a panel physician authorized by the relevant government. These comprise an assessment based on medical history, physical, chest X-rays, and blood test for tuberculosis, HIV, and syphilis. In some instances, some vaccinations shall be necessary.
Importantly, however, panel physicians do only immigration related medical examination and do not offer any form of continuing medical care. Treatment or further care for any condition found in the medical examination is not offered by the panel physicians. If something is detected regarding one's health then he is referred back to his GP or any specialist for further treatment.
Differences
Scope of Practice: this refers to one of the differences within the general practitioner and a panel physician. A general practitioner offers complete as well as long-term care medical services. On the other hand, a panel physician only delivers single immigration medical examination into their jurisdiction to gain entry.
For example, a GP indeed has regular contact with his patients for a long period of time and sometimes even sees one and the same patient for years or even decades. The situation with panel physicians is different since it often happens that they see each other only at the time of an immigration medical exam.
Goal: In that case, for a GP, this would remain the aim of maintaining and improving the general health status of the patients, whereas on the other hand, for a panel physician, it would be to assess a person's health in terms of immigration.
The referral process: GPs diagnose and treat a condition; however, if it requires that the patient seek specialist care, the GPs refer them. The panel physicians only refer the patient to their GPs or specialists if they establish a condition during an immigration check-up.
Conclusion
This will be something that distinguishes the general practitioner and the panel physician majorly, especially when it comes to health care or an immigration process. These doctors are integral parts of routine care in the sphere of daily health due to their preventive, chronic, and acute concerns. In contrast, panel physicians are perceived as experts conducting medical tests related to issues of immigration for security purposes in the host country. Both play extremely different roles, but the role itself is very vital within its own respective sphere of healthcare.