General Physician : How to become a General Physician

Who is a General Physician?

A general physician, also known as a general practitioner or GP, is a medical doctor who provides primary healthcare services to patients of all ages. They are trained to diagnose and treat a wide range of medical conditions, from common illnesses and injuries to chronic diseases and complex health issues. General physicians are often the first point of contact for patients seeking medical care, and they are responsible for performing physical exams, ordering diagnostic tests, prescribing medications, and providing preventive care services. They may also refer patients to specialists or other healthcare professionals when necessary. General physicians play a vital role in the healthcare system and are an important resource for promoting health and wellness in their communities.

How to become a General Physician after the 12th?

Becoming a General Physician after the 12th is a challenging yet rewarding career path. If you’re interested in pursuing a career in the medical field and helping people, becoming a General Physician could be the perfect choice for you. Here are the steps to follow to become a General Physician after the 12th:

Step 1: Complete your 12th Standard Education To become a General Physician, you must complete your 12th standard education in the science stream with physics, chemistry, and biology as core subjects. This is a prerequisite for pursuing a medical degree.

Step 2: Prepare for Medical Entrance Exams After completing your 12th standard education, you will need to appear for medical entrance exams such as the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET). Clearing these exams with a good score is essential to secure a seat in a medical college.

Step 3: Enroll in a Medical College After clearing the entrance exams, you can enroll in a medical college to pursue a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) degree. The MBBS course usually takes five and a half years to complete, including one year of internship.

Step 4: Complete an Internship After completing the MBBS degree, you must complete a one-year internship in a hospital. During the internship, you will gain hands-on experience in various medical procedures and treatments.

Step 5: Pursue a Post-Graduate Degree After completing the internship, you can pursue a post-graduate degree in General Medicine or Family Medicine to specialize in the field. A post-graduate degree takes around three years to complete.

Step 6: Get Licensed and Registered After completing your post-graduate degree, you will need to obtain a license to practice medicine from the Medical Council of India (MCI) or its state-level affiliates. You must also register with the state medical council to legally practice as a General Physician.

Becoming a General Physician requires hard work, dedication, and a passion for helping people. By following the above steps, you can fulfill your dream of becoming a General Physician and making a significant impact on people’s lives.

Roles and Job Description

General physicians, also known as primary care physicians or family doctors, are medical doctors who provide primary healthcare services to patients of all ages. Their roles and job description include:

1. Diagnosing and treating illnesses: General physicians are responsible for diagnosing and treating a wide range of illnesses and medical conditions, such as infections, injuries, chronic diseases, and mental health issues.
2. Conducting physical exams: They perform routine check-ups, take medical histories, and conduct physical examinations to assess the overall health of their patients.
3. Prescribing medications: They prescribe medications and other treatments to help manage their patient’s medical conditions and symptoms.
4. Providing preventive care: They offer advice on how to maintain good health and prevent diseases, such as through regular exercise, healthy eating, and vaccinations.
5. Referring patients to specialists: If a patient’s medical condition requires specialized care, general physicians refer them to medical specialists, such as cardiologists, neurologists, or oncologists.
6. Managing chronic conditions: They manage and monitor chronic conditions, such as diabetes, asthma, and high blood pressure, to help their patients maintain optimal health.
7. Collaborating with other healthcare professionals: They work closely with other healthcare professionals, such as nurses, pharmacists, and therapists, to provide comprehensive care to their patients.
8. Keeping records: They keep detailed records of their patient’s medical history, medications, and treatments to ensure continuity of care.
9. Educating patients: They educate patients on their medical conditions, treatments, and self-care techniques to help them make informed decisions about their health.
10. Providing emergency care: They provide emergency care to patients who require immediate medical attention, such as in cases of heart attack, stroke, or severe injuries.

Overall, the job of a general physician is to provide comprehensive and holistic healthcare to their patients, focusing on their overall well-being and long-term health.

Eligibility to become General Physician

In order to become a General Physician, students need to plan their career from the 12th standard. The first step to becoming a General Physician is to clear class 12 exams in the Science stream with mandatory subjects such as Physics, Chemistry, and Biology. Admission to the most prestigious medical colleges/ institutes is solely done on the basis of marks secured in the entrance examination organized by the concerned authority.

Subject Combination – Students must have a Science stream in Class 12 with the mandatory subjects Physics, Chemistry, and Biology (PCB)

Exam – NEET-UG, NEET-PG, AIIMS Medical entrance exam, JIPMER MBBS, etc.

Eligibility –

Undergraduate Level:

• Candidates should have passed the class 12 examination with a science stream from a recognized university/board.
• The percentage requirement is 50% and above for most of the Universities/ institutions/ colleges. There has been a considerable reduction in marks for the reserved categories (OBC / SC / ST and PWDs).
• Candidates should be between 17 and 25 years.

Pay Scale/Salary of General Physician

The work of a General Physician is very respectable. As a Physician, through consultation fees and his or her private practices, one can earn a decent amount of money. Earnings depend entirely on the number of years in experience/practice, geographic area (rural/urban), number of working hours, skills, proficiency, and professional reputation of the General Physician. The salary of a General Physician may differ according to their knowledge, skills, and experience. It usually increases with knowledge growth and time. Here are some relative salary figures for General Physicians:

Note: The above figures are an estimate and may vary from individual to individual.