Quote:
Originally Posted by Unregistered
Agree that gp would never be as lucrative as specialist. Quite frankly most people including myself want to become gp as we don't want to take too much responsibility. For gp, there is always a second line of defense and that is to refer.
Currently in ops, we also refer left, right and centre. I even referred subclinical hypothyroidism coz pt wants it. Make my life easier don't need explain anything. I am very often honest with patients, literally telling them I don't know how to manage their condition and hence I am referring. For example,
- most rash who don't respond to steroid cream
- abnormal blood tests that are not thyroid, dm, or lipids. Like plt high, refer haem. Coz I tell pt I don't know what is the cause.
Private gp even better, do whole load of screening, tell pt "results abnormal but they cannot manage, better and cheaper to go ops. "- like literally.. (I agree with the cheaper part but still...)
On my first day in ops, one of the senior doctors told me. You MUST practice within your circle of competence and refer any case you are not confident of managing. (This is stated in smc ethical code of conduct)
He also adds that everyone circle of competence is different.
Reading in-between the lines, I think he essentially meant just refer everyone if I cant manage. Don't take unnecessary risks as if manage wrongly he need to handle complaint lol. |
This is what you are told and you tell yourself
You think specialist dont refer? They do! Refer to other specialists
It isnt that different really. Specialists can only manage within their own scope
Depth is easier to master because there is a limit. There is no limit in breadth.
Iin fact there is even sub specialist.
Do yourself a favor. Finish the mmed. Gdfm. But dot be a generalist. Specialize in something.
Even internal med....it is generalist. Dont be fooled that it is a specialty much different from GP. Slightly better cos dun do peds psych
obs and gynae ortho and surgery. But a lot of work. Often dumping ground. Which is why im let gp set up admission ward to help with dumped patients.